China

The world’s #1 energy consumer, should really be the world’s #1 carbon emitter. I think it is less important to determine who consumes the most energy because the real focus should be around ways to conserve and harvest renewable energy.

China and the U.S. are currently the world’s two largest energy consumers and CO2 emitters in the world. However, we have seen a rapid increase in energy consumption trends from developing countries like India, Brazil and Vietnam, with the next surge in demand expected to come from South America and Africa.

The demand for coal-powered electricity generation continued to grow, especially in Asia, during the 2009 global recession. Over 1 gigawatt of coal-powered electricity generation was added in China per week. With no signs of slowing, what can be done to change this pattern? One idea being discussed with friends is the creation of an America-China Energy Trust to help build a new green energy economy in China.

Chris Brown, China energy consultant, discussed his thoughts on the future of China’s solar energy sector on Twitter today as part of this week’s series of online conversations on the various aspects of solar.

Great piece in today's Wall Street Journal about yesterday's MOU signed between Applied Materials and CECEP.  Worth a read. 

Jiangsu, the eastern coastal province with the largest solar manufacturing capacity in China, is considered the "California" of energy policy in China. In June 2009, Jiangsu put in place the nation's first feed-in tariff program, aiming to install 400 MW solar panels by 2011.

Last Friday, Applied hosted a 30-member strong government delegation from Jiangsu.