Energy

China may double solar goal after Japan nuclear leak

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-03-30 11:20

SHANGHAI - China may double its target for photovoltaic power capacity over the next five years in the wake of Japan's nuclear crisis, Reuters reported, citing a China Securities Journal report.

Citing unnamed sources, the China Securities Journal said the government may be looking at a new target of having installed capacity of 10 gigawatts (gW) of PV power by 2015, up from its existing target of 5 gW.

Related readings:  Solar power favored after nuclear leakage in Japan  Approvals halted for new nuclear plants  China comes in first in clean-energy investment

China is the world's largest exporter of photovoltaic products and home to some of the industry's top players, such as Trina Solar, JA Solar, Suntech Power and LDK Solar.

The China Electricity Council (CEC), an industry body, has asked the government to lower its nuclear capacity target for 2020 and scale back reactor construction in interior regions, the China Business News reported on Monday.

China was again the world leader in clean-energy investment last year, ahead of Germany and the United States, according to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts released this week.