Personalized Forecasts
A.M. Planner
Home & Garden
Health
Miscellaneous
New York, NY
Local Weather
My Recent Locations
-
New York, NY
45° RealFeel® 34° -
Miami, FL
86° RealFeel® 95° -
Los Angeles, CA
69° RealFeel® 74°
Panda-shaped solar power plant opens in China
By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer
July 21, 2017, 6:44:21 PM EDT
Share this article:
China is the global leader when it comes to producing solar power, and the country is showing no signs of slowing its progress in investing in renewable energy.
With a total installed solar capacity of 78 gigawatts at the end of 2016, China led all other countries in installed capacity. Through the first half of 2017, the country is on a record pace for solar installations, with 24 gigawatts of capacity added, according to Bloomberg.
China added 34.5 gigawatts of solar capacity throughout all of 2016, the International Energy Agency reported.
As the country's growth in solar continues, its focus on sustainability has intertwined with its culture, most notably highlighted by the recent solar farm constructed in the shape of giant panda, one of China's national treasures.
The Panda Power Plant, with a capacity of 100 megawatts, was connected to the grid in late June in the hills of Datong, Shanxi province. The plant, located in northeastern China, spans 248 acres and is in the testing phase and is producing 50 megawatts of energy. It is expected to be fully integrated into the grid by Aug.10.
This drone image shows the first world's first panda power plant in Datong, China. (Photo/Panda Green Energy Group)
The operator of the plant, Panda Green Energy Group, partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote public consciousness about environment-friendly technologies and sustainable development.
A key strategy of the partnership was to help raise awareness for younger people with regards to global issues such as climate change and to "promote stronger leadership from within youth groups for sustainable development action."
Nicholas Rosellini, United Nations resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in China, said in a statement that the new solar farm demonstrates how innovative approaches can bring benefits to the new energy sector.
A digital plan of the solar station. (Photo/Panda Green Energy Group)
“The worldwide appeal of the panda creates a platform to engage the wider public, and especially youth groups. UNDP’s partnership with Panda Green Energy Group can help to harness the energy, ideas and commitment of the next generation to engage with innovation for development," Rosellini said.
RELATED:
Solar energy powers an entire island in American Samoa thanks to Tesla, SolarCity
AccuWeather Climate Change Blog
5 tips for saving on energy costs during the sweltering heat of summer
The project is the word's first of several panda-shaped solar farms expected to be constructed. The current solar farm highlights two baby pandas, while farms in the shape of two adult pandas will eventually be added.
Panda Green Energy Group states that a 100 megawatt solar plant can provide 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity in 25 years, which is the equivalent of saving 1.056 million tons of coal or reducing 2.74 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
More Weather News
-
Persistent cold weather for October may be accompanied by storms, snow in northeastern US
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 12:18:17 PM EDT
With the exception of a day here and there, the overall weather pattern will remain chilly in the northeastern United States with opportunities for snow through the end of October.
-
Flooding rain to return to Texas this week and expand across southern US
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 12:04:21 PM EDT
Following a retreat of moisture, more rain will spread across Texas this week, and eventually reach areas along the Florida Gulf Coast still recovering from Hurricane Michael.
-
Hurricane Willa forms in eastern Pacific Ocean and will bring tropical rain, Vicente into Mexico
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 12:03:18 PM EDT
Vicente, and Willa, which is expected to become a major hurricane, will combine to bring a one-two tropical punch to southwestern and western Mexico this week.
-
Cool start to the World Series for games 1 and 2 in Boston this week
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 12:32:17 PM EDT
Cold air will settle over the Northeast this week, bringing a chilly start to the 2018 World Series.
-
Photos: Fallen trees, wind damage near Chicago amid high winds from cold front
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 11:47:35 AM EDT
A very sharp cold front sent damaging winds and snow through areas near Chicago, Illinois.
-
How long will this weekend’s harsh chill last in the northeastern US?
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 10:52:57 AM EDT
With the northeastern United States facing gusty winds, plummeting temperatures and even snow this weekend, residents may be wondering how long the taste of winter will last.
-
Orionid meteor shower set to peak across Europe: Will you be able to see it?
Weather News - October 21, 2018, 8:58:55 AM EDT
One of the most famous meteor showers of the year is set to reach its peak this weekend as the Orionids will be visible in the night sky.
-
Photos: Flooding rain prompts water rescues in eastern Spain
Weather News - October 19, 2018, 12:37:36 PM EDT
Homes were flooded and more than two dozen people had to be rescued from their cars as torrential rain triggered flooding in eastern Spain late this week.
TRENDING NOW
Debris from Halley’s Comet to spark Orionid meteor shower Sunday night
Cloud-free conditions will allow much of the United States to see this weekend’s Orionid meteor shower, the first major shower of the fall.
Read Story
'We built it for the big one’: How this Mexico Beach house survived Hurricane Michael
Mexico Beach, Florida, was almost completely flattened by Hurricane Michael. However, one home stood high on stilts above the wreckage, appearing largely untouched from the storm.
Read Story
AccuWeather.com
Custom Search