China’s world-beating solar industry is in turmoil
The Gulf war won’t save it.
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Solar panels on a hillside near Jiexiu in China’s northern Shanxi province.
PHOTO: AFP
The Economist
As America’s war on Iran roils energy markets, China’s clean-energy companies should be cashing in. The country makes over 80 per cent of the world’s solar panels, churning them out in vast quantities. Thanks to such efforts, renewable sources generated more electricity than coal in 2025 around the world. Yet China’s solar industry, though world-beating, is in turmoil. And the war will not be enough to steady it.
China’s solar exports have seen a boost since the bombing began. But that will be small cheer to its companies as they face three daunting problems.
