China is set to host one of the largest solar energy parks in the world. The first phase of the project in the Qaidam Basin, North West China comprises 30MW of capacity but ambitions for expansion to 1GW are outlined by solar energy provider China Technology Development Group Corporation and Qinghai New Energy Co. who signed a deal with the local government of Qinghai Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Region last week.
Design and construction of the first phase of this renewable energy project worth $146 million is set to start this year, although there is a long way to go with funding to be secured and land to be assembled.
The vast desert area of the Qaidam Basin is well located in terms of sunshine and grid availability. The area covering 256,000 square kilometers was identified in 2005 by the Chinese Government a Renewable Energy Experimental Zone.
Harold Brewster
April 13th, 2010
Solar Energy is one of the best ways to get clean energy. Today the efficieny of solar power is a bit low but with advances in technology, solar cells will become more and more efficient in harnessing the energy of the sun.