Development trajectories in China's wind and solar energy industries: How technology-related differences shape the dynamics of industry localization and catching up. (1st August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quitzow, Rainer; Huenteler, Joern; Asmussen, Hanna
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 158(2017)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2017-08-01
• Subjects: International technology transfer -- Demand-side policy -- China -- Wind power -- Solar photovoltaics; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.04.130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: China has been very successful in creating conditions for industry localization in solar and wind energy manufacturing. In terms of their competitiveness in foreign markets, however, Chinese solar photovoltaics firms have shown significantly greater achievements than their counterparts in the wind energy sector. Moreover, the success of China's solar photovoltaics industry has come in spite of significantly lower levels of domestic market support. The paper argues that technology-related factors and their implications for international technology transfer are critical for explaining the different speeds with which Chinese firms have been able to catch up in the two sectors. This is supported by a comparative analysis of technology transfer in the two sectors. Highlights: China's wind and solar energy industries reveal divergent development paths. Domestic market support enabled catching up in wind but not in solar energy. Technology-related factors help explain these differences. This is supported by an analysis of international technology transfer to China.