Zero Equilibrium Global Macro Watch: China's Renewable Energy Dominance. China doesn't just dominate the worlds renewable energy push, but also completely dominates the entire global solar panel supply chain. There are four major component goods used in making solar panels: a). Polysilicon: a primary component from which others are derived: consisting ofraw purified metal grade used for solar panel components; b). Polysilicon is then melted and sliced into things ”wafers” c).Photovaltic (PV) Cells: Wafers are then turned into [PV] cells that actually convert sunlight to electricity (a key primary component without which you cannot produce or constuct a solar pane), d). PV Modules: This is the final stage that makes the finished product as these PV cells are assembled into full solar panels. An Absolute Total Vertical Domination: In 2024, China produced 93.2 % of the world’s polysilicon, 96.6% of wafers, 92.3% of photovoltaic (PV) cells, and 86.4% of PV modules in 2024. (China Photovoltaic Industry Association) This vertical dominance empowers them with price-setting powers, making China the global solar panel price determinant. This is significant as Solar essentially became the dominant drove of renewable energy growth after hydropower, making 75% of new renewable energy capacity added in the same year. And over half of the “installed renewable capacity”. Making China the OPEC+ of renewable energy, absent a strong non-OPEC-like competitor in the IS. As a result, countries pushing for renewable energy in order to diversify away from Oil, or pursue national green policy initiatives (as in Europe) are effectively dependent on China. China has long transitioned from mere “Renewable Energy participators” to the industrial backkne of the global photovaltic (PV) market, to become the major player in the renewables space. ✍🏾By @Muhammad_Okoye for Zero Equilibrium® Economics.
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