STORY: Solar power farms on plateau fuel China's green energy revolution
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: June 9, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:41
LOCATION: XINING, China
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of photovoltaic sheep farms
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): MA YOUFU, Herdsman
3. various of photovoltaic sheep farms

STORYLINE:

Amid China's green energy revolution, the world's largest solar photovoltaic power plant on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is forging a unique development path.

In the Talatan Gobi Desert in Gonghe County, a flock of sheep were seen in the solar photovoltaic power plant owned by Huanghe Hydropower Development Co., Ltd.

They have been tasked with protecting the panels. Their voracious appetite, once a headache for environmentalists, has now become essential for maintaining the smooth operation of the solar power station.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): MA YOUFU, Herdsman
"In the past, Talatan was barren, where sheep could not graze. Since the solar photovoltaic power plant was built, the grass under the photovoltaic panels has thrived, and now the sheep are getting fatter."

Local authorities say the photovoltaic panels reduce wind erosion on vegetation, while the water used for cleaning them infiltrates beneath the surface, nourishing the grass, and the manure can serve as a natural fertilizer, further benefiting the grass.

The solar power park has encouraged surrounding villagers to raise what they call "photovoltaic sheep" since 2018. They have been provided with four free sheep pens, enabling the locals to resume their traditional business at zero cost.

So far, 12 "photovoltaic sheep farms" have been built in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xining, China.
(XHTV)