Desert Solar Power Investment

Can a photovoltaic power station be built in the desert?

"Building a photovoltaic power station in the desert is not easy, and requirement for solar equipment is higher due to the windy and sandy environment in the desert," Miao Ruijun, deputy head of Mengxi New Energy Dalad Photovoltaic Power Station in SPIC Nei Mongol Energy Co, told the Global Times at the site on Saturday.

How much solar power is needed in the desert?

The construction of about 100 GW of solar power capacity is already under way in the desert area. He also acknowledged that high-efficient coal-fired power plants and ultra-high voltage electricity transmission lines are required in order to support the steady operation of the grid system amid large scale of renewable power installation.

Why should China invest in desert power bases?

The desert power bases will also help shore up domestic demand for Chinese suppliers of renewable energy equipment, which have aggressively added capacity and face trade curbs or increased scrutiny in export markets including the US and European Union.

How to manage a solar power station in the desert?

Miao noted that to better manage running of the station in the desert environment and save personnel needed onsite, it has adopted smart PV solutions provided by Huawei Technologies, including solar inverters, power carrier communication (PLC), intelligent IV diagnosis, as well as intelligent photovoltaic management system.

How much does the Gobi solar project cost?

The project, with total investment of more than 85 billion yuan ($12.28 billion) and total installed capacity of 13 million kW, is the country's first in response to government ambitions to speed up construction of solar and wind power generation facilities in the Gobi and other parched regions amid efforts to boost renewable energy.

Will China speed up wind and solar power generation in dry regions?

As China plans to speed up construction of solar and wind power generation facilities in dry regions amid efforts to boost renewable power, the government launched the first phase of its wind and solar power projects at the end of 2021, comprising a total of 100 gigawatts of wind and solar power capacity in desert areas.