Public notice of bidding for photovoltaic support in Xizhaizhuang

Will China's solar industry reforms address plunging power plant prices?

BEIJING, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A Chinese solar sector association and the country's industry ministry are proposing reforms to power plant tendering to address plunging equipment prices that have led manufacturers to make losses.

Why is China launching new solar power projects?

The measures came as a way to promote the healthier development of China's fast-developing PV industry, which has already made new breakthroughs in the past year, setting records in annual new installations, new distributed PV installations, total solar power installations and PV exports, said the China Photovoltaic Industry Association.

How many gigawatts will China's new photovoltaic installations be?

The country is expected to see its new photovoltaic installations this year reach a range of between 95 and 120 gigawatts, according to recent estimates from the CPIA.

How would a bid for solar equipment be evaluated?

Under the proposed new process, bids to supply solar equipment would be evaluated on the basis of factors such as product quality and reliability, technological innovation, as well as environmental and social impacts, including how environmentally sustainable the supply chain is.

Why are China's solar panel producers urging government intervention?

China's solar panel producers have urged government intervention to shore up prices kept low by overcapacity even as China's trading partners have complained about the effects of overproduction on their own domestic industries.

How has China's booming PV industry accelerated its overseas expansion?

China's booming PV industry has also accelerated its overseas expansion in the past year. The country's PV product exports surged 80.3 percent year-on-year to hit $51.25 billion, the CPIA said.