Well that would be good for First Solar wouldn't it?
Thin-film cadmium telluride vs. polysilicon substrate.
Not so good for data centers in space though.
From Reuters, April 15;
- China may curb exports to keep solar tech lead, sources say
- Move could threaten U.S. firms' solar factory plans
- Industry sees Tesla's solar goals as threat amid downturn
Chinese officials have held initial talks with providers of equipment to make solar panels as they consider limiting exports of the most advanced technology to the United States, said five people with knowledge of the consultations.
Such a clampdown would risk investments by U.S. firms and set back a race for space-based computing, as China, estimated to make more than 80% of the world's solar panel components, is also home to the top 10 suppliers of equipment to make solar cells.
No rule has been finalised, and the talks have not advanced to the stage of canvassing formal feedback from an industry grappling with severe overcapacity after years of aggressive expansion, two of the sources said.
China's commerce ministry and its state council, or cabinet, did not immediately respond to faxed requests for comment from Reuters.
IF ADOPTED, STEP COULD THREATEN U.S. FIRMS' PLANS TO EXPAND
If adopted, such a move could threaten plans by U.S. firms, such as Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab, to build new factories or expand existing ones in efforts to boost local production.
It would also widen export controls in another area of technology where China has a lead, building on Beijing's move to control rare earth exports a year ago in response to U.S. tariffs.
The step comes at a time when the rivalry between China and the United States has spilled into the race to produce space-based computing powered by solar panels, a focus for Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Other U.S. tech companies such as Google (GOOGL.O) and Amazon (AMZN.O) are investing in ground-based solar and energy storage systems, even as they count on similar orbital data centres to satisfy AI's growing demand for power.
Analysts who track China's solar industry and executives have braced for export controls, in part because concern is growing over efforts by Musk and others to boost solar panel production in the United States, reducing reliance on China.
DOWNTURN COULD SEE INDUSTRY LOSE OUT TO U.S. COMPANIES
Musk seeks to exploit China's solar downturn to acquire equipment and talent, Xu Xiaohua, chairman of Anhui Huasun Energy, told the Caijing business magazine this year....
....MUCH MORE
