"HONG KONG — The bankruptcies of three American solar power companies in the last month, including Solyndra of California on Wednesday, have left China’s industry with a dominant sales position — almost three-fifths of the world’s production capacity — and rapidly declining costs."

"Some American, Japanese and European solar companies still have a technological edge over Chinese rivals, but seldom a cost advantage, according to industry analysts.

Loans at very low rates from state-owned banks in Beijing, cheap or free land from local and provincial governments across China, huge economies of scale and other cost advantages have transformed China from a minor player in the solar power industry just a few years ago into the main producer of an increasingly competitive source of electricity."

Keith Bradsher reports for the New York Times September 1, 2011.
[2]
SEE ALSO:

DOE Approves $852 Million Loan for Solar Power Plant (Consulting-Specifying Engineer)
[3]
"U.S. Losing Clean-Energy Race? Solar Maker Solyndra Bankrupt" (MoClatchy)
[4]
"Obama Stands by Renewable-Energy Aid After Panel Maker Solyndra’s Failure" (Bloomberg)
[5]
"U.S. Posted a Trade Surplus in Solar Technologies, Study Finds" (New York Times) [6]

"US Thumps China in Solar Panel Shipment" (EBN Online)
[7]
"Industry Group: US Solar Sector Beats China" (AOL) [8]

"Thanks China! U.S. Solar Exports Skyrocket 83 Percent" (smartplanet) [9]