China's clean energy exports gaining more traction

China’s longstanding dominance of clean energy manufacturing is translating into a behemoth export business, with close to US$1 trillion (32.5 trillion baht) worth of batteries, solar components, electric vehicles and wind power systems shipped globally since 2018.

- Gavin Maguire

An employee performs a final inspection on solar cells on the production line at the Trina Solar Ltd factory in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, on April 24.

(BLOOMBERG)

Below are seven figures of clean energy technology components that Chinese firms are exporting, and the destinations.

Of all the clean energy tech manufactured by China, battery systems have emerged as the most lucrative export item.

China has shipped out roughly $330 billion worth of batteries and battery storage systems since 2018, according to data from energy think tank Ember.

That is by far the largest export value tied to China's clean energy products during that period, and accounts for just over a third of the country’s annual earnings from clean energy technology shipments.

Solar panels, inverters and rack systems are the next-largest export segment in China's clean tech arena, with total exports since 2018 amounting to roughly $242 billion.

Electric vehicles generated around $195 billion in export revenues since 2018, heating and cooling system exports about $105 billion, grid management equipment around $77 billion and wind farm components a further $27 billion.