Factors affecting renewable energy supply chain link: A case of solar power in Vietnam

Abstract

Solar power is a mature and fast-growing field based on single crystal silicon wafer technology. Although China, Europe and the US are the main markets, 80 percent of the modules are manufactured in Asia. In Vietnam, modules are manufactured in collaboration with Chinese and American manufacturers. In 2017, there were 5 GW of solar panels produced in Vietnam, accounting for 7% of the global market. The domestic solar market is expected to peak at around 1.8 GW/year according to the targets set out in the revised PDP 7. The domestic module production capacity, currently devoted entirely to export, is around 5.2 GW/year, three times the expected maximum capacity of the domestic market. In that context, due to the normal size of factories, only a few parts factories can sell to the domestic market, while the majority still must rely on exports. But it is important to map out a clear roadmap for 12 GW of solar power that will encourage the formation of EPC companies and other domestic service companies in Vietnam to build factories according to the plan. Construction, operation, maintenance, and production for the domestic market has the potential to increase Vietnam's GDP by about 0.25% by 2030 and create more than 25,000 jobs.