**Abstract**
China's polysilicon industry has grown from scratch, overcoming foreign technological blockades and significantly reducing the cost of polysilicon products. This has played a key role in driving down global photovoltaic power generation costs. The industry has evolved from a nascent stage to becoming a global leader, with China now at the forefront of production scale and technology. Some enterprises have even reached world-class standards in terms of production efficiency and energy consumption. However, despite these achievements, the industry still faces challenges and misconceptions that hinder its development.
Currently, China has mastered the production technology for 10,000-ton polysilicon plants, with some companies achieving advanced levels in both technology and energy efficiency. The quality of Chinese polysilicon is continuously improving, giving the country a strong voice in the global market. This progress has not come easily—it is the result of decades of effort and innovation by Chinese engineers and scientists.
However, two persistent misconceptions continue to affect the industry: first, that polysilicon is a "double high" (high energy consumption and high pollution) industry; second, that there is overcapacity in China’s polysilicon sector. These misunderstandings are outdated and do not reflect the current state of the industry.
**Misunderstanding 1: Polysilicon as a “Double High†Industry**
The term "double high" refers to high energy use and high pollution. However, this label is not accurate for modern polysilicon production. While early stages of the industry did involve high energy consumption and environmental concerns, significant improvements have been made. Today, most polysilicon producers use closed-loop systems that recycle by-products like silicon tetrachloride, drastically reducing waste and emissions. Additionally, energy consumption per unit of GDP is much lower than in traditional high-energy industries like aluminum or cement. From an energy recovery perspective, the entire photovoltaic supply chain actually generates more energy than it consumes over time.
Moreover, developed countries such as the U.S., Germany, and Japan have long supported their own polysilicon industries, even though they are known for strict environmental regulations. This further supports the idea that polysilicon is not inherently a "double high" industry.
**Misunderstanding 2: Overcapacity in China’s Polysilicon Industry**
While statistics may suggest overcapacity, the reality is more complex. In 2012, China had a production capacity of 190,000 tons, but actual output was only 71,000 tons, with a large portion of the capacity not yet operational. Many small-scale producers were inefficient and environmentally harmful, and most of them have since shut down. The effective production capacity is far less than the reported figure. Furthermore, despite the apparent surplus, China still imported over 80,000 tons of polysilicon in 2012, showing that demand exceeds domestic supply.
With the rapid decline in prices, many companies have struggled to remain profitable. Even today, the majority of polysilicon enterprises operate below full capacity, and the industry still lacks enough efficient producers to meet growing demand. Therefore, the claim of overcapacity is misleading and does not reflect the true situation.
**Government Policies and Public Perception**
Government policies have also contributed to the challenges faced by the industry. The designation of polysilicon as a "double high" industry led to restrictions on new projects, financing, and tax incentives. This has discouraged investment and slowed technological advancement. Meanwhile, public perception remains negative due to past misrepresentations, making it harder for the industry to gain support.
Despite these obstacles, polysilicon remains a critical component of the information and renewable energy sectors. It is the foundation for semiconductors and solar panels, supporting industries worth billions. The economic multiplier effect of silicon materials is well-documented, underscoring the importance of a strong domestic polysilicon industry.
In conclusion, while the industry has made remarkable progress, it still faces outdated perceptions and policy barriers. To ensure its long-term success, it is essential to correct these misunderstandings, provide targeted support, and promote sustainable development. Only then can China maintain its competitive edge and continue to drive the global transition to clean energy.
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Jiangyin Haoxuan Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.haoxuan-tech.com