Solar Power and China
Solar thermal power (STP) or solar concentrator power (SCP) is a relatively new technology which has already shown much promise for countries with a high degree of sun. Unlike Solar Photovoltaic energy which is created from sun light, solar thermal energy is harvested from heat direct from the sun. This relatively new technology has already shown promise. China has a well established low-tech commercial solar thermal industry with over a thousand factories manufacturing and selling solar systems. Most of these collectors are used to heat water, and are sold without subsidies. Solar water heating technology has made great progress and provides people in urban and rural areas with cost-effective energy services.Solar thermal energy is competing with electricity in the supply of hot water in China. By the end of 2000 the accumulated installed area of solar water heater (SWH) systems in China was 26 million m2; far greater than the European Commission's target of 15 million m2 in 2004. The annual sales volume reached 6 million m2 in 2000, up from 4 million m2 in 1999.As the industry grows, Chinese businesses are turning towards markets in Europe. Annual sales grew by 41 and 27 in 1999 and 2000 respectively. 1 of national production was exported to Japan, Germany, Belgium, Italy and to other Asian countries. This is a relatively small proportion but the average annual growth rate of exports has been about 40 in recent years.In Europe, solar energy is viewed as a renewable energy option with high environmental value and low economic value. In order to meet their national and international commitments, many European governments are stimulating domestic markets through a number of incentive programmes; by providing support for R
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