Solar supply chains need to be localised
The pandemic has demonstrated the downside of relying on one global centre of production and long-distance supply chains
The disruption to global solar supply chains caused by Covid-19 highlights that new, local alternatives are needed for the industry to ensure that solar remains a reliable source of power. “Solar is China,” says Steve Hanke, chairman of the supervisory board of speciality metals and mineral products producer Advanced Metallurgical Group (AMG), which trades on the stock market in Amsterdam. “If you shut China down, solar shuts down. It is the same story for rare earth [elements].” China dominates in the production of silicon metal, which is needed for silicon wafers used for solar panels. Only two companies in the West produce silicon wafers, and one of them, Elkem in Norway, is Chinese-ow
Also in this section
10 May 2024
Launch of project powered by geothermal energy in Iceland marks step forward in push to scale up expensive direct-air-capture technology
8 May 2024
Allowance prices rise 34% since start of year as regulator imposes tighter limits and considers reduction of free allocations
7 May 2024
Policymakers should consider backing enhanced weathering as a CDR technique with benefits to the agricultural sector
3 May 2024
Developers look to government’s forthcoming budget to restore support as industry suffers loss of momentum