Page 468 - A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems

Chapter 24 • Global Growth Trends and the Future of Solar Power 481

thin film panels. In terms of inverter production, China and Europe share the leadership
at the present time [30]. It is in the balance of systems (trackers, mounting, cables, etc.)
that domestic markets usually dominate the scene, as it is not so cheap to ship steel frames
around the world.
This is good news for societies and governments. utilizing this global value chain cor­
rectly allows societies to experience solar at the lowest cost, where interference in the value
chain occurs, the increase in cost is always passed on to the end consumer. mixing local
production with imported at scale products keeps costs down and supports the drive for
more solar power, as governments can expect large levels of deployment at levels of cost
close to or at grid parity. Importantly, in relation to jobs, the key segments almost always
remain in local hands. For example, in Europe a recent study identified that more than
50% of the upstream jobs were in the balance of systems, while overall 84% of jobs were in
the downstream segment, construction, development, engineering, and operations and
maintenance [31]. The results of this study are outlined in Fig. 24.7.
This means that solar power provides local jobs and helps societies transition away
from fossil fuels with new clean jobs to replace old redundant ones. President obama
noted in 2014 that solar would be put in place by American hands with jobs that could
not be exported overseas [32]. This was a strong recognition from the former uS President
of the power of solar energy to deliver jobs and growth for local communities. It applies
across the world and where there is a strong market for solar power, there is also a strong
market for jobs.
The trends in the solar industrial sector are likely to continue, the only question is how
far can China go in dominating each segment? This race bodes well for consumers all
around the world and is part of the reason that commentators still expect the cost of solar
systems to drop in the coming years [33].

FIGURE 24.7 Job support and GVA creation upstream and downstream activities. EY, 2015.