The 12th five year plan, for 2011 to 2015, calls for installing 1,000 MW by 2015, and 3,000 MW of concentrated solar power plants by 2020.
Plants either being planned or under construction:
1 MW Badaling Pilot Project — collaboration between the Institute of Electrical Engineering (IEE) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
12 MW (short term) / 300-MW (long term) project — collaboration between Xinjiang Qingsong Building Materials and Chemicals (Group) Co. and Guodian Xinjiang Company
50 MW project in Tibet by Huaneng Tibet Company
100 MW project in Sichuan Abazhou by Tianwei New Energy (Aba)
50 MW (TBD) by China Huadian Corporation
100 MW project in Golmud by GD ENERGY
100 MW project in Ningxia by Beijing Control Technology Co. Ltd
100 MW project (TBD) by Avic Xi’an Aero-Engine (Group) Ltd
100 MW project (TBD) by Guangdong Kangda
100 MW in Gansu by SETC Tianjin
1,000 MW in Qinghai by Lion International Investment Ltd.
2,000 MW in Shaanxi by Shandong Penglai Dianli and eSolar
1 MW Badaling Pilot Project — collaboration between the Institute of Electrical Engineering (IEE) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
12 MW (short term) / 300-MW (long term) project — collaboration between Xinjiang Qingsong Building Materials and Chemicals (Group) Co. and Guodian Xinjiang Company
50 MW project in Tibet by Huaneng Tibet Company
100 MW project in Sichuan Abazhou by Tianwei New Energy (Aba)
50 MW (TBD) by China Huadian Corporation
100 MW project in Golmud by GD ENERGY
100 MW project in Ningxia by Beijing Control Technology Co. Ltd
100 MW project (TBD) by Avic Xi’an Aero-Engine (Group) Ltd
100 MW project (TBD) by Guangdong Kangda
100 MW in Gansu by SETC Tianjin
1,000 MW in Qinghai by Lion International Investment Ltd.
2,000 MW in Shaanxi by Shandong Penglai Dianli and eSolar
Solar power in the People's Republic of China is a growing industry. China has over 400 photovoltaic (PV) companies. In 2012 China installed 5.0 GW of solar panel capacity. As of 2012, about 8.3 GW of photovoltaics contribute towards power generation in China. Solar water heating is extensively implemented as well.
According to plans unveiled by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2007, the country's installed solar capacity was to grow to 1,800 MW by 2020.
In 2009, Wang Zhongying, a Commission official, mentioned at a solar energy conference in Shanghai that the plan might be exceeded several-fold, with the installed capacity possibly reaching as much as 10 GW by 2020.
In May 2011, the National People's Congress (NPC) set 5 GW as an official minimum PV target for 2015, with a longer-term target of 20–30 GW by 2020.
China added 5.0 GW of panels in 2012, bringing installed capacity to 8,300 MW. According to the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, the total installed capacity could grow to from 47 GW to 66 GW by 2017.
In 2011, the at the time world's largest solar farm was completed, the 200 MW Huanghe Hydropower Golmud Solar Park. There are many other solar farms in Golmud, totaling 570 MW at the end of 2011, with another 500 MW expected in 2012. The Qinghai province, which contains Golmud, leads China in solar installations.
In 2011, the at the time world's largest solar farm was completed, the 200 MW Huanghe Hydropower Golmud Solar Park. There are many other solar farms in Golmud, totaling 570 MW at the end of 2011, with another 500 MW expected in 2012. The Qinghai province, which contains Golmud, leads China in solar installations.
| Year | Capacity (MW) | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 16 | |
| 2000 | 19 | 3 |
| 2001 | 23.5 | 4.5 |
| 2002 | 42 | 8.5 |
| 2003 | 52 | 10 |
| 2004 | 62 | 10 |
| 2005 | 70 | 8 |
| 2006 | 80 | 10 |
| 2007 | 100 | 20 |
| 2008 | 140 | 40 |
| 2009 | 300 | 160 |
| 2010 | 800 | 500 |
| 2011 | 3,300 | 2,500 |
| 2012 | 8,300 | 5,000 |
| 2013 | 18,300 | 10,000 |