Where does your interest in clean energy stem from?

At the start of the 1970s, when I was still in primary school, I recall one day seeing a report about satellite technology using solar energy, which inspired me to write a story in which solar energy was installed in outer space, transmitting electric signals to radio wavers, and using wireless transmission to send electricity back to earth. The teacher gave me an A for this story. Since that time, I formed an indissoluble bond with solar technology.

What top two steps does the industry need to take to be cost competitive with traditional energy generation? How can they be achieved?

The price of solar energy must be competitive. To achieve this, we must first work on technology and scalability. From 2004–09, in the space of five years, the improvements in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology exceeded the technological advances of the last 20 years.

The cost of solar energy is also experiencing a significant decline. Along with the high expenditure on research and development, technological upgrades continue to advance. In the space of one year (2010) solar technology improvements should outperform those of the past five years. According to our company’s research and development progress, we predict that within the next three years, the cost of solar energy will be on par with conventional energy prices.

What has been the greatest achievement of the solar PV industry, in the past 5 years?

Renewable energy, especially within the solar PV industry, has experienced a rapid development over the last five years. During this time, the global PV market supply and production capacity has increased exponentially, with new production technologies and facilities emerging.

Sun-Earth is the only one of these commercial solar PV producers who has more than 40 years experience. During the last five years we, as a company, have reached a number of important milestones. For example, five years ago we had a production capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), now it is 350 MW. In addition, solar module technological advances have continued, and Sun-Earth has reached full vertical integration of our industrial chain.

Where do you see the PV sector going in the short and long term?

In the short term, and under the current impact of the global economic crisis, solar energy trade protectionist policies are making a comeback. This will impact on the development of the solar industry, as protectionist measures are backward, and tend to slow down the rapid pace of solar technological advances. The dissolution of clean technology enterprises will only multiply if this trend continues.

Yet from a long-term perspective, enterprises may differentiate themselves, like Sun-Earth does, by combining unique technology, a wide scope of production processes, and robust development. When solar energy enterprise developments reach a certain stage, such as with the oil and water companies, they become stronger, more resilient.

What are the top two government incentives/policy measures you would like to see implemented today? Why?

There are many policies for stimulating renewable energy incentives. The most important of these are increasing the ratio of renewable energy usage, raising the renewable energy electricity generation price, increasing renewable energy generation projects with government subsidies, and – clearly – each country must lower barriers against trade protectionism.

What promising project/technology is Sun-Earth currently developing or implementing?

Recently, we have undertaken two forms of high-efficiency cell research. This technology will increase the electrical output efficiency of solar energy components, with a conversion rate of 20 per cent for solar cells. We will be putting these solar cells into production in 2010. In 2009, we also received four patents for our solar cell technology.

What one piece of advice would you give new entrants to the clean energy industry?

There is a saying in China: “The future is bright, but the way is fraught with twists and turns.” If you enter this industry, it is necessary to be able to guarantee your products. It is no simple feat to have products under warranty for 25 years, so our long history and our advanced production technology are two very important guarantees.