The development of solar pv industry become more powerful, especially in China

Solar will be the world’s most popular power source by 2050, that the cost of solar PV technology will fall by 50 percent in the next ten years and  that solar will inevitably be the energy source of the future by 2050, one researcher once said.     Though support through feed-in tariffs has almost disappeared throughout the country, Australians have found that Chinese solar panels are the key to installing affordable domestic solar systems. So much so that well over a million of our households are powered by solar systems. A remarkable achievement.     However the dive down the cost curve is a two-edged sword according to some analysts. While the availability of affordable panels has driven the “ground up” Australian solar market from consumers, it has also stymied — even destroyed — the output of Australian PV manufacturers of solar panels . This is not just an Australian phenomenon. With looming trade wars over alleged protectionism from countries such as the United States, who aren't exactly angels when it comes to subsidising their export industries to gain a competitive edge.     Many of course rightly point out the contradiction that China presents when it comes to supporting renewable energy while still being the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuels. The solar will be at the forefront of this technological advance, solar energy is fast becoming more affordable. It is only to be presumed that these savings will be translated to other countries such as Australia who know only too well of the benefit of Chinese solar products.     Chinese solar panel When we look at the year ahead for renewable energy, and try to divine the development of the Australian solar market, one of the first conclusions is the importance of neighbouring countries. I’m talking here of the continued role China plays in solar energy in Australia.     It’s not an exaggeration to say that cheap, quality solar panels from China have driven the domestic demand for solar panels in Australia. Despite wide open spaces for solar farms and abundant sun, Australia is lagging behind the rest of the world in renewable energy. We haven’t take your rightful position as one of the leaders in the world in developing large scale renewable energy as we should.     The misconception is that we “punch above our weight” in all issues from international diplomacy, to sporting fixtures, to energy policy. However true this may be for other areas, it lacks credibility when it comes to renewable energy and climate policy. Here we’re content to sit back and allow the world to take the lead, it appears, with the modest gains of previous governments swept aside.