Solar photovoltaic and thermal technology and applications in China

The interest in research and development of solar PV and thermal applications has been growing fast in China due to climate change concerns and environmental protection in addition to energy shortage. A number of research achievements have been put into practice, and a promising solar energy market has been formed. Among them, solar water heaters (SWHs), photovoltaic (PV) cells, PV power generation, and PV/thermal (PV/T) systems have gained the most popularity. This work reviews the solar energy resources, PV technology and applications, development of solar thermal applications, and the research and development of PV/T systems in China. The results show that China's renewable energy applications have grown rapidly in the past 10 years, and that China has become the biggest producer of PV cells and SWHs in the world. In 2011, China's PV products held 42% and the SWH cumulative installations constituted about 2/3 of globe amount. One trend in SWH development in China is the integration of the SWHs with the building structure, and PV/T hot water systems are expected to dominate solar applications in buildings. Problems lying in China's PV industry are pointed out, and suggestions for solving the problems are proposed.