Australia forms solar alliance with China

A solar alliance between Australia and China will encourage cooperation between the two countries in the development and deployment of solar energy.

The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) and the China Renewable Energy Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 29 March in Beijing. The MoU will facilitate linkages between solar companies, researchers and organisations in Australia and China and promote academic, industry and cultural exchanges.

The alliance will involve regular teleconferences, annual meetings and joint events to encourage and facilitate networking. It will also encourage information sharing on industry trends, standards and policy development, as well as investment facilitation.

“Through this agreement, we can strengthen the cooperation between the solar energy sectors in both countries and take up new opportunities to promote solar energy, leading to new investment, jobs and business opportunities in Australia and China,” said John Grimes, Chief Executive of AuSES.

China is the 7th largest market for PV solar in the world, Mr Grimes said, “and will only assume even greater importance in coming years as China works towards ambitious targets to reduce its energy consumption and carbon emissions while boosting renewable energy production levels.”

“Participation in industry events and building our new relationship with professional bodies, such as the China Photovoltaic Society, is vital to gaining a better insight into the state of the solar energy market in China, building contacts with the key players and seeking new opportunities to deploy Australian expertise in partnership with Chinese companies and organisations.”