Even some Chinese companies that have struggled with losses and had trouble making loan payments have been able to stay afloat. The United States has already imposed tariffs on solar panels from China over the past five years, prompting Chinese manufacturers to build vast factories in Southeast Asia. When the Chinese-owned factories in Southeast Asia are included, Chinese panel makers account for about four-fifths of global sales. Solar panel installers, developers of utility-scale solar panel power generation projects and others connected to the industry also oppose broader tariffs. China had 800 solar panel companies a decade ago and now has just 70 or 80, after allowing the rest to become insolvent.

Source: New York Times December 01, 2017 07:18 UTC