China on verge of a solar power tipping point, study finds (msn.com)

Energy Storage Units (ESU) will have to be incorporated into China's plan to increase solar power generation, both to store that energy and to regulate its generation so as to prevent energy spikes on its grid system.  Lithium ion batteries will be part of that storage, although there exist an abundance of alternatives to using lithium ion batteries for storage.  Some of those alternatives use lithium in some other aspect, but there are also many alternatives to ESU design that are free from the use of any lithium.  China's emphasis on increasing alternative generation as opposed to burning Coal for generating electricity will mean more electric vehicles on the roads in China and that aspect will indeed spur the growth of demand in lithium there in China. 

Presently China is reaching out its economic tentacles throughout the world to secure its own Supply Chain of this important mineral as can be verified by the recent purchases of lithium mining interests by only one Chinese entity, Ganfeng Lithium Ltd.  Hopefully here in the U.S. we will also work to secure our own Supply Chain of domestic lithium so as to not be dependent upon foreign sources.  Judge Du's decision should give some overall hint as to how the wind is blowing on that premise of lithium independence when she gives her ultimate decisions next year on Thacker Pass.