China - October 27, 2024

World's largest solar park improves local ecosystems, economies in northwest China

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The world's largest solar park in northwest China is assisting the country's transition to green energy, but it's also improved the ecological landscape of the once barren region.

On more than 600 square kilometers of arid land, rows and rows of photovoltaic panels collect sunshine that is transformed into more than 8,400 megawatts of electricity.

A new 100,000-kilowatt photothermal project is now under construction at the park which includes 20,000 heliostats-or mirrors-that will rotate like sunflowers to constantly reflect the sun.

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Qiao Hongfei, vice president, Guoneng (Gonghe) New Energy Development Co., Ltd.:

"We are installing heliostats. Each heliostat will automatically reflect sunlight to the distant heat absorption screen continuously, adjusting to the angle of the sun, just like a sunflower."

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Since 2012 when the park first began installing solar panels, environmental changes began occurring on the barren land, like fewer sandstorms.

Acting as a wind breaker, the solar panel park led to a 50 percent reduction in wind speeds and an 80 percent increase in vegetation growth.

However, as the vegetation flourished, safety and efficiency became concerns.

Uncut grass can affect solar panels' efficiency and could start on fire during the winter months.

To remedy the problem, local shepherds have been invited to let their flocks graze on the grass beneath the solar panels.

The PV park's management team says it's a win-win solution.

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Qeyang, deputy director, management committee of green industry development park in Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture:

"After the completion of these photovoltaic panels, the amount of fresh grass in the park is four times greater than that outside the park. As a result, local herdsmen are willing to graze their sheep in our solar farm. On the one hand, this addresses their grazing needs; on the other, it prevents tall grasses from shading the solar panels as they grow."

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According to China's National Energy Administration, by the end of June, the country's total solar capacity had reached approximately 710 GW, up 51.6 percent year on year.

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