Adhesives Mag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Adhesives Mag logo
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • NEWS
    • Adhesives & Sealants Headlines
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • Market Trends
    • TOP 20
  • TOPICS
    • Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    • Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
    • Coatings
    • Raw Materials and Chemicals
    • Materials Handling/Processing
    • Meter/Mix/Dispense
    • Curing
    • Testing/Quality Control
    • Packaging of Adhesives & Sealants
    • Converting/Packaging
    • Composites
    • Sustainability
  • EVENTS
    • MAX
    • Events Calendar
  • COLUMNS
    • European Perspectives
    • Strategic Solutions
    • Supply Chain Strategies
    • Tape Talk
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
  • EXPLORE
    • Adhesives in Action
    • Blog
    • ASI Store
    • Industry Links
    • Market Research
    • Classifieds
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Global Adhesives & Sealants Directory
    • Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook
    • Equipment Handbook
    • Distributor Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • ADVERTISE
      • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
NewsMarket TrendsAdhesives & Sealants HeadlinesFinished Adhesives and Sealants

Solar Manufacturing Costs Not Driven Primarily by Labor

FinishedAdhesives.jpg
September 10, 2013

Production scale, not lower labor costs, drives China’s current advantage in manufacturing photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems, according to a new report by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Although the prevailing belief is that low labor costs and direct government subsidies for PV manufacturing in China account for that country’s dominance in PV manufacturing, the NREL/MIT study shows that a majority of the region’s competitive advantage comes from production scale—enabled, in part, through preferred access to capital (indirect government subsidies)—and resulting supply chain benefits. The study’s findings suggest that the current advantages of China-based manufacturers could be reproduced in the U.S.

“Assessing the Drivers of Regional Trends in Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing,” co-authored by NREL and MIT, and funded by the Energy Department through its Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative, was published recently in the peer-reviewed journal Energy & Environmental Science. By developing manufacturing cost models, the team of researchers examined the underlying causes for shifts from a global network of manufacturers to a production base that is now largely based in China.

China’s historical advantage in low-cost manufacturing is reportedly mainly due to advantages of production scale, and is offset by other country-specific factors, such as investment risk and inflation. The authors also found that technology innovation and global supply chain development could enable increased manufacturing scale around the world, resulting in broader, subsidy-free PV deployment and the potential for manufacturing price parity in most regions.

“Innovation is critical to driving the technological advancements that can position the U.S. to gain greater market share in the global PV supply chain,” said David Danielson, assistant secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Department. “We believe that innovation could drive down costs and drive up efficiencies not only in PV manufacturing, but also in the production of other high-tech and high-value clean energy technologies, and position U.S.-based manufacturers to be leaders in one of the most important global economic races of the 21st century.”

For more information, visit www.eere.energy.gov.

KEYWORDS: adhesives in energy sealants in energy sustainability

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mouse in hole

    Using Foam Sealants for Pest Prevention

    According to the National Pest Management Association,...
    Adhesives and Sealants Topics
    By: Kevin Corcoran
  • linked network nodes

    Using the Power of AI for Adhesive and Sealant Formulation

    With the help of software solutions, adhesive formulators...
    Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    By: Karen Parker
  • top20-hero.jpg

    2024 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Manufacturers of Adhesives and Sealants

    ASI's annual ranking of the top 20 global adhesive and...
    Adhesives and Sealants Topics
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Issues
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

ASI top 20 global manufacturers

2025 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Adhesives and Sealants Manufacturers

Image of scrabble pieces with pictures of people

Sika Purchases Construction Chemicals Company in Qatar

Photo of a person holding a tablet, reading a new story

Sika Strengthens Presence in China, Brazil and Africa

ASI Top 20 website

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

See More Products

ASI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • Electronics

    IPC Reports Rising Material and Labor Costs Continue to Impact Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain

    See More
  • Global Solar Panels Market to Reach $71.8 Billion by 2017

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • acc.jpg

    Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants, 3E

  • adhesive-bonding-materials.gif

    Adhesive Bonding: Materials, Applications and Technology

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • July 18, 2012

    Why VOC Content Minimization Does Not Yield Low VOC Emissions

    Informative webinar covers the science behind why VOC content IS different than VOC emissions.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing