Even coming close to that figure would be a game-changer for the PV industry and, indeed, solar energy globally.

Currently, the best crystalline silicon (c-Si) producers in China produce at around $0.55-$0.70/W, while the most competitive modules based on copper, indium, gallium, selenide (CIGS) thin-film technology are produced for around $0.74/W.

Siva Power, based in San Jose, aims to have a 300MW production line up and running within four years, producing at $0.40/W,