2023 china-eu solar container policy

How many solar panels did the EU import in 2023?

In 2023, the EU imported €19.7 billion worth of solar panels, €3.9 billion of liquid biofuels and €0.3 billion worth of wind turbines from extra-EU countries. The value of imported solar panels decreased by 12% compared with 2022 due to a drop in prices, while the quantity increased by 5%.

How does the EU deal with China's reliance on solar?

Rather than blocking Chinese products and reshoring manufacturing, the EU instead invests existing resources in wind energy and hydropower. It thereby offsets the risks emanating from the dependency on China in solar by developing greater capacity in sectors where European companies are still more competitive.

Will European solar panels be able to trade with China?

European solar panel manufacturers have previously asked the EU to consider trade safeguards on Chinese imports, but Brussels and governments including Germany have warned broad curbs on Chinese supply could stunt Europe's fast expansion of clean energy.

Will EU impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024?

Most EU member states agree to this, with the notable exception of Hungary, which refuses to back a joint approach and does not implement any decisions taken by the other EU members. By summer 2024, the commission concludes its anti-subsidy probe and imposes an additional 50 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicle imports.

Will the EU increase its solar power capacity by 2030?

Executive summary The European Union plans a major increase in solar PV capacity from 263 GW today to almost 600 GW by 2030. If nothing changes, this expansion will be based almost exclusively on solar panels imported from China, which supplies over 95 percent of solar panels used in the EU.

Will China restrict solar-panel exports to certain countries?

The first is the economic risk that China might in the future make use of its predominant position in global solar PV manufacturing to distort the market and artificially obtain additional economic rents. The second is the geopolitical risk that China might restrict solar-panel exports to certain countries to pursue geopolitical goals.