China has made significant advancements in merging into solar energy systems but is suffering from quality manufacturing issues. While about 19.5 gigawatts of solar panels have been installed by 2013, many are installed incorrectly or are defective, sometimes forcing entire solar farms to shut down. The solar panel business in China has boomed in the last few years, by 2013 manufacturing more panels that the combined other countries of the world. The poor quality panels are resulting in lower than expected outputs and banks refusing to finance solar energy projects. Senior researchers at the Energy Research Institute of China’s National Development and Reform Commission believes, however, that the defective panels are simply part of the solar energy “learning curve” and excessive quality control on new manufactured panels could result in enormous expense for solar farms.
China’s recent efforts to switch to renewable solar energy are positive steps in reducing the countries’ large carbon output. Their extensive manufacturing businesses are problematic because of their pollution and production of greenhouse gasses. Solar panels would provide a sustainable energy source for current and future years. However, China needs to properly produce and install these methods to meet expected energy outputs. Hopefully China’s frenzy to install panels will inspire other countries to adapt similar solar energy technology but also caution them to do so correctly.
Liu, C., & Climatewire. (2014, August 12). Defective Photovoltaics and Other Flaws
Plague China’s Push to Build Solar Power: Scientific American.Science News, Articles, and Information | Scientific American.
Retrieved August 13, 2014, from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/defective-photovoltaics-and-other-flaws-plague-china-s-push-to-build-solar-power/
I find this article very interesting because its odd how china wants to have solar panels. Aside from them having manufacturing issues, they also have very bad air pollution. In particular areas in China, there are cities filled with pollution clouds covering the beautiful cities. Its an effort worth taking because China uses an abundant amount of energy for their cities. Do you really think that solar energy would work sufficiently in China? or is there another effective alternative way they can get there energy?
Given how polluted China is the step in the way of Solar Energy is really amazing. If the pollution in China starts to get better it would be huge for the environment. But why are Chinese solar panels so inefficient? Is there something in the way of introducing methods that the US can do to help?