Are Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) companies engaged in overseas activities?

We find that Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) firms are primarily engaging in downstream activities overseas, along with some manufacturing activities, and minimal upstream activities. We also find that there are opportunities for technology transfer within all segments of the solar value chain characterizing overseas activities.

Where are Chinese solar PV manufacturers located?

Three-quarters of Chinese overseas solar PV manufacturing capacity is concentrated in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but other countries such as India and Turkey are becoming increasingly attractive to manufacturers due to the proximity to emerging solar markets.

How do Chinese solar companies start manufacturing plants abroad?

Many Chinese solar companies have set up manufacturing plants abroad. There are two primary ways in which this development occurs: either through a greenfield investment in a new plant abroad, or through the purchase of an existing plant owned by another company through a merger and acquisition (M&A) with that company.

How many Chinese solar PV companies are there?

Analysis of 20 of the leading Chinese solar PV companies shows 343 offices in 70 countries around the world (Fig. 3). While the highest number of offices are devoted to sales and service support, subsidiaries serve a variety of functions to include manufacturing, investment holding, operations and maintenance, and project construction. Fig. 3.

Which solar PV manufacturers can compete with China?

The only other solar PV manufacturers from other countries that can compete with China on scale are Hanwha Q Cells and LG Electronics from the Republic of Korea and First Solar in the United States.

Why did China's solar PV installations slow in 2018 & 2019?

As companies adjusted to reduced subsidies, China's annual solar PV installations slowed in 2018 and 2019, and companies accelerated their move towards overseas markets (NEA, 2019).