A Report on Solar Energy Industry in the Asia Pacific Region

Executive Summary:

Many countries in the Asia Pacific region have placed emphasis on the development of renewable sources of energy in order to reduce fossil fuel consumption and dependence on fossil fuel imports. These countries also wish to decrease pollution which results from combustion of fossil fuels and to gain sustainability and self sufficiency in power generation. In developing countries such as India and China, there are large sections of the population living in areas without access to power from a supply grid. Some of these regions are moving toward solar energy since it is a decentralized source of power. In the Asia Pacific region, power consumption is increasing in line with the growing population and expanding industrialization.

Fossil fuel consumption and imports have also been increasing continuously since the 1990s. Hence solar energy can be developed to meet the growing demand for power and reduce pollution. Asia accounts for a major share of total solar energy systems produced at the global level. Japan is one of the largest solar cell manufacturers at the global level with Japanese companies numbering among the top ten solar cell manufacturers. In Asia, OECD countries accounted for the largest solar energy installed capacity during 2005. China had the largest solar thermal installed capacity during 2005.

In terms of investment made in solar energy market China and Germany occupied the top position at the global level in 2005. At the global level, Japan occupies the second position behind Germany in solar energy installed capacity. India has vast solar energy potential, which is currently underutilized. The high cost of solar cells remains a barrier in development of solar energy market in Asia. Asian countries need to concentrate on increasing performance efficiency and decreasing the cost of solar cells. Solar cells are made from silicon which is very expensive but has good performance efficiency. Research and development to develop low cost substitutes to silicon with similar performance efficiency is in progress.

To encourage renewable energy consumption, the Asia Pacific countries are framing long term policies and are offering subsidies, tax exemptions and financing facilities for installation of renewable energy systems. India is inviting foreign direct investments and is encouraging import of technology for the development of the renewable energy sector. The Asia Pacific market for renewable energy is estimated to grow if supported by regulations (subsidies and exemptions), until renewable energy generation becomes cost competitive with conventional power.

In Asia, the renewable energy market is expanding and the region is forecast to become the largest market for renewable energy in the future. Because of the high growth potential for renewable energy in the region, major international solar energy product manufacturers are expanding their operations to cater to this region. Asian solar cell manufacturing companies, mainly in Japan and China are increasing their production capacities. China is increasing its silicon production to reduce dependence on imports for production of solar cells.

Keywords:

Solar Energy, Asia Pacific Region, Regulatory Environment, Photovoltaic Cell Production, Non-conventional Energy Sources, Asia Alternative Energy Program, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Renewable Energy Development Project, Net Metering, Fossil Fuel, Environment Management Pollution, China, India, Japan, Australia

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