China is implementing cutting-edge solar energy initiatives across diverse terrains, from coastal mudflats to arid western deserts, as part of its commitment to green development.
Recently, the largest solar photovoltaic energy storage facility on mudflats in China commenced operations in Shandong province. This project has transformed 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) of saline-alkali land into a “new oasis” dedicated to clean energy production.
The coastal mudflats, characterized by abundant sunlight and few obstructions, are particularly well-suited for solar energy projects. This region enjoys over 2,600 hours of sunlight annually, averaging more than seven hours per day, according to China Central Television.
The facility, which combines salt production with solar power generation, is projected to produce enough electricity to supply approximately 500,000 households each year, as stated by deputy chief engineer Wang Yang in an interview with CCTV.
Wang Xueli, director of the Huadian Laizhou Power Station, noted that the “double-glass, bifacial solar panels reflect sunlight from the salt surfaces, enhancing power output by around 3 percent.”
“The heat generated by the panels raises the brine temperature by around 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit), which enhances salt production,” Wang added.
In November, the state-owned China Energy Investment Corporation successfully finalized its inaugural 1 gigawatt offshore photovoltaic project, situated 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the Dongying coast in Shandong province. Covering an area of 1,223 hectares (3,022 acres) and featuring 2,934 solar platforms, this facility is recognized as the largest offshore solar installation globally.
Once fully operational, it is projected to generate 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to supply power to 2.67 million urban households, according to project leader Wang Lin in a statement to Xinhua.
Beijing has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and is actively pursuing its clean energy objectives by establishing solar power farms in desert regions and expanding offshore wind energy projects.
This year, the government aims to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to 20 percent, with electricity generated from non-fossil sources anticipated to account for 39 percent of the national energy mix.
China's solar energy initiatives have also extended to mountainous areas. A 100 megawatt photovoltaic station recently completed in the towns of Zhuchangping and Pengzha in the southern province of Guizhou is expected to generate 1.45 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
This project integrates solar energy production with agricultural practices, utilizing the land beneath the solar panels to cultivate grass for livestock, thereby benefiting the local economy.
Officials estimate that this initiative will save 44,000 tonnes of coal each year, leading to a reduction of 121,000 tonnes in annual carbon emissions.
In the Kubuqi Desert, located in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of northern China, numerous bulldozers are engaged in the construction of an extensive "solar wall" designed to address desertification.
This initiative spans 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) in length and 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in width, with the goal of establishing a solar power facility capable of generating 100GW by the year 2030, as reported by Xinhua.
For context, the Three Gorges Dam, recognized as the largest hydropower station globally, has a total installed capacity of 22.5GW.
“It will act as a barrier along the Yellow River, preventing wind erosion and stabilising sand,” project manager Li Jinyu said.
The Kubuqi Desert has served as a focal point for the advancement of the solar industry for several years. According to a 2022 report by Xinhua, a solar facility that was set up in 2017 produces 2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, utilizing 3,335 hectares (8,241 acres) of land that was previously desert.