ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how East Asian governments have promoted solar energy development through the use of different policy mechanisms and strategic plans, which are often integral to promoting renewable. Solar energy, especially the solar photovoltaic (PV), is viewed by most East Asian governments as an important emerging strategic industry of the 21st century. The region has substantial solar energy resources, and moreover East Asia's strong global competitive position in related industries such as electronics and semiconductors has enabled its firms to successfully extend their existing techno-industrial competences into this renewable energy field. Although the solar PV manufacturing industry is the most privatised RE sector element in China, state-owned power companies dominate on the installation side, working closely with state ministries and other SOEs on solar park and distributed grid infrastructure development in particular. The sector has too been subject to intensifying trade disputes, with US and EU restrictions placed on imported Chinese PV equipment.
