Shenzen Province, China

Description

In the last two years, China’s ten IPOs have raised nearly US$2 billion to meet the world’s growing demand for PV-related products and services. The attractiveness of PV to Chinese industrial policy is also understandable due to China’s internal demand for energy, the exciting global economic projections for the solar industry, and the alignment of PV manufacturing needs with China’s current industrial and technology capabilities. Indeed, China’s domestic market for accumulated PV installation is expected to reach 300 MW by 2010, up from only 80 MW accumulated and 10 MW yearly installation in 2006. But the Chinese PV industry is planning to more than meet its domestic needs.

Since 2004, the country’s solar cell production and capacity have reached growth rates from 100%–400% per year, contributing to the global shortage of polysilicon feedstocks. Cell capacity of 4 GW has been announced for this year and, after growing a projected 40% in 2008 so far, China’s solar wafer capacity is also expected to reach 4 GW.

However, how much polysilicon will be available and who will be able to obtain it remains extremely uncertain.
With regard to Shenzen in particular the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) recently unveiled its Solar Energy Technology Support Centre at Hong Kong Science Park, marking an important milestone for Hong Kong’s solar energy development.

The centre is part of a strategic collaboration between the HKSAR and Shenzhen Municipal Governments.  The aim is to ultimately form an R&D hub in Hong Kong, with Shenzhen as the manufacturing base, forming a full value chain for the photovoltaic industry.

Innovative Aspect

As part of the historic initiative, Du Pont Apollo Ltd, a subsidiary of the US-based DuPont, simultaneously opened its first-of-its-kind Global Thin Film Photovoltaic R&D Centre at Hong Kong Science Park.  Thus cementing Hong Kong’s position as a leading R&D hub for renewable energy. The new centre is the first project under the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle”, which is spearheaded by the Shenzhen and HKSAR governments in 2007.   Research and development in Hong Kong is complemented by manufacturing across the border in neighboring Shenzhen. This novel form of co-operation between the two cities over their combined capabilities enhances their international competitiveness. The influx of international firm such as DuPont (who support the concept of ‘Shenzen Hong-Kong Innovation Circle is also helping to create a technology hub that is attracting other companies to the rapidly developing Shenzen domain.

The centre is part of a strategic collaboration between the HKSAR and Shenzhen Municipal Governments.  The aim is to ultimately form an R&D hub in Hong Kong, with Shenzhen as the manufacturing base, forming a full value chain for the photovoltaic industry.