China put a record number of solar panels on rooftops last year

[BEIJING] China put a record number of solar panels on rooftops last year as growth in residential areas outpaced installations on solar farms.

Of a total of 51 gigawatts of solar capacity built in 2021, more than half came from rooftop installations, according to the National Energy Administration. China now has 108 GW of rooftop solar, more than anywhere else, after adding 29 GW in 2021, the NEA said.

Most of the extra capacity was installed in the fourth quarter as developers rushed to meet a subsidy deadline. At the same time, larger scale installations have stuttered due to high costs and project delays.

China's main industry body had estimated earlier in the year that total additions in 2021 could reach as high as 65 GW, before it was forced to cut its forecast. But the solar group expects growth to accelerate in 2022 to more than 75 GW, smashing the previous record.

It'll be driven by the creation of massive clean energy hubs in the interior of the country as well as the government's support for residential solar. Even after the subsidy has lapsed, urban installations should continue to bolster growth.

Local authorities are now allowed to reduce costs by buying in bulk, while a pilot programme launched last year to improve uptake attracted hundreds of cities and towns.

By the end of 2023, participants will be expected to install panels on 50 per cent of the available area at government buildings, 40 per cent at schools and hospitals, 30 per cent for industrial buildings and 20 per cent for rural households.

Shandong in eastern China has shown the most enthusiasm for rooftop solar, adding more than 12 GW in the past 2 years. But the province now has so much capacity that the authorities are considering curtailing supply during periods of low demand over Chinese New Year, according to local media.

BLOOMBERG