Riding on the global wave of renewable energy expansion, ASEAN has emerged as a major exporter of solar PV products. Yet, this export-led growth also exposes the vulnerabilities of ASEAN’s solar PV industry—especially its deep integration into the global supply chain. Against a backdrop of rising protectionism and great power rivalry, a key question arises: how should ASEAN and its member states safeguard the future of their solar PV industry?

ACI’s webinar, “Safeguarding ASEAN’s Solar PV Future: Trade, Policy and Business Perspectives,” held on 30 October 2025, offered a timely reflection on the challenges and opportunities shaping ASEAN’s solar PV industry. From energy-storage technology to financing difficulties, our panellists have highlighted various areas in which ASEAN needs to strengthen its capabilities to accelerate solar adoption. Looking ahead, ASEAN should embrace a strategic transition mindset, pursuing sustained structural transformation in its energy system instead of near-term quick wins.  

Key Highlights:

1. ASEAN, an important player in the solar PV supply chain: ASEAN’s competitiveness lies in the exports of final products, notably cells or modules. Meanwhile, ASEAN remains a major importer of key inputs for producing such final products. Its growing reliance on the US market and the Chinese inputs heightens exposure to protectionism measures implemented by the US.

2. Emerging business opportunities: Intra-ASEAN trade remains limited, and enhancing regional integration helps enhance supply chain resilience. Regarding boosting solar power  deployment, cross-border energy trade schemes like ASEAN Power Grid are expected to offer new growth opportunities in the future.

3. Persistent bottlenecks to greater regional solar momentum: Despite its vast potential, the actual usage of solar energy in ASEAN is minuscule. Inadequate grid investment, regulatory and policy uncertainty, and low bankability of local solar projects continue to impede progress.

4. Green opportunism, or green developmentalism? Standing at a crossroads, ASEAN’s path to energy transition should emphasise restructuring the energy system around clean energies and building long-term competitiveness. China’s energy system transformation offers useful lessons.

By HUANG, Yijia and YAN, Bowen

1. Mapping ASEAN’s Position in the Global Solar PV Supply Chain

2. Solar Energy in ASEAN: National and Regional Dimensions

3. Powering Indonesia’s Clean Energy Future through Solar PV Growth amid Global Trade Challenges

4. From Export Risk to Future Competitiveness: Accelerating ASEAN’s Domestic Transition as a Strategic Lever