Comprehensive evaluation of the international competitiveness of solar photovoltaic products in China, Japan, and Korea under RCEP background

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Dec;30(56):118440-118455. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30599-1. Epub 2023 Nov 1.

Abstract

Under the background of global energy transformation and structural upgrading, the development of solar photovoltaic industry in various countries has been paid attention to, and solar photovoltaic products occupy an important position in the international trade of renewable energy. The signing of the RCEP agreement can create favorable external conditions for the trade and industrial cooperation of solar photovoltaic products, which has attracted global attention. Therefore, based on the background of RCEP, it is of practical significance to analyze the development and export competitiveness of solar energy products in the agreement countries. This paper uses TOPSIS to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for the international competitiveness of solar photovoltaic products to study the international competitiveness of solar photovoltaic products in China, Japan, and Korea under the context of RCEP. The study shows that (1) China's international competitiveness in solar photovoltaic products is strong and continues to improve, while Japan is declining and Korea is growing slowly. (2) There are significant differences in the components that lead to international competitiveness among different countries. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes corresponding policy recommendations for the three countries.

Keywords: International competitiveness; RCEP; Solar photovoltaic products; TOPSIS method.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Commerce*
  • Internationality*
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea