Beijing mulls solar power subsidy

China may introduce subsidies for solar power production in the second half of the year to encourage adoption of the technology, the South China Morning Post reported. Zhao Yuwen, head of the China Renewable Energy Society’s photovoltaic committee said the National Energy Commission, part of the National Development and Reform Commission, was considering subsidies to be paid for by an existing renewable energy fund collected from end-users through a surcharge. The high price of photovoltaic technology has meant that use of the technology has not become widespread within China; 98% of China’s photovoltaic production is shipped overseas. According to China’s Renewable Energy Law, introduced in 2006, grid operators must buy all renewable energy generated.