(Zhang Guobao, former head of the National Energy Administration)
NANJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's photovoltaic industry has grown from a weak grass-roots industry into a global industrial front-runner, Zhang Guobao, former head of the National Energy Administration, said on Saturday at the International Green Energy Development Conference in Yangzhong, East China’s Jiangsu Province.
The installed capacity of photovoltaic power in China has exceeded 100 million kilowatts as of June 2017, higher than the combined capacity of the United States, India and Japan. In 2016, the photovoltaic modules produced by China accounted for 3/4 of world’s production, according to Zhang.
Zhang noted that the rise of China's photovoltaic industry has benefited from China’s strong manufacturing base and product supporting system.
“Those involved in the photovoltaic industry must understand that the future of the industry depends on reducing costs and fostering competitiveness through technological innovation,” said Zhang.
Zhang suggested that competition mechanisms should be introduced to give competitive enterprises earlier access to the qualifications necessary for investment and construction.
The International Green Energy Development Conference was held in Yangzhong, Jiangsu Province, from September 15 to 16. The conference, themed “Green Energy Development in China and Yangzhong’s Practices”, showcased the latest technologies and products of new energy.
The conference was jointly held by China Economic Information Service (CEIS) and the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, organized by the Yangzhong Municipal Government, the CEIS Xinhua Silk Road Information Department and the CEIS Jiangsu Center, and co-organized by the Renewable Energy Committee of the China Energy Research Society. (Contributed by Huang Xiaolan, huangxiaolan@xinhua.org)