The price of silicon, essential for China’s solar energy industry, has risen relentlessly for years. But supply is increasing, and this week, the government started a crackdown that might lower the price dramatically.
Trina Solar is making billions selling solar panels abroad, and spending billions in China to increase production and secure access to vital raw materials.
Mining is the only sector of the economy showing consistent profits this year. The biggest gains are in coal, and oil and gas, but lithium and silicon miners are enjoying windfalls thanks to the electric vehicle and solar energy industries, and copper and uranium mining have been lucrative, too.
Tongwei Group, the world’s leading supplier of high-purity silicon used in solar panels, is one of China’s most profitable companies.