- Title: Paw power: China plans 100 panda-shaped solar plants on new Silk Road
- Date: 25th July 2017
- Summary: DATONG, SHANXI PROVINCE, CHINA (JULY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOLAR PANELS SOLAR PANELS WITH FACTORY AND CHIMNEY BEHIND BIRD STANDING ON THE SOLAR PANEL SOLAR PANELS IN ROWS SOLAR PANELS OF PANDA POWER PLANT VARIOUS OF ENGINEERS DRIVING AMONG SOLAR PANELS FOR DAILY CHECK SOLAR PANELS IN ROWS SOLAR PANELS WITH FACTORY BEHIND SHENZHEN, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA (JULY 21, 2017) (REUTERS) PANDA GREEN ENERGY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE LI YUAN WALKING DOWN STAIRS LOGO OF CHINA MERCHANTS NEW ENERGY GROUP PANDA TOY ON THE TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) PANDA GREEN ENERGY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE LI YUAN, SAYING: "We all know that worldwide both adults and children like pandas. The panda has now become a climate ambassador and a peace ambassador, delivering our aspiration for a green earth to the whole world." DATONG, SHANXI PROVINCE, CHINA (JULY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ENGINEERS CHECKING SOLAR PANELS VARIOUS OF GUO BIN, 26-YEAR-OLD, ENGINEER CHECKING SOLAR PANELS SOLAR PANEL (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) GUO BIN, 26-YEAR-OLD, ENGINEER AT PANDA GREEN ENERGY GROUP, SAYING: "Both sides of the panels can generate electricity, showcasing the high efficiency of our panda power plant. The installed capacity of the front part is around 310 watt while the back is about 30 watt. They are part of the face and belly of the panda. And the color difference it brings forms the shape of the panda." VARIOUS OF GUO AND HIS COLLEAGUE CHECKING SOLAR PANELS VARIOUS OF GUO AND HIS COLLEAGUE TESTING VOLTAGE OF THE SOLAR PANELS ENGINEER READING NUMBERS GUO AND HIS COLLEAGUE TESTING VOLTAGE OF THE SOLAR PANELS SOLAR PANELS WITH FACTORIES IN BEHIND
- Embargoed: 8th August 2017 06:03
- Keywords: Panda Green Energy Group panda solar panels China Datong shanxi province
- Location: DATONG, SHANXI PROVINCE AND SHENZHEN, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA
- City: DATONG, SHANXI PROVINCE AND SHENZHEN, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Environment,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News
- Reuters ID: LVA0026R7SSWP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:In a country where anything from chopsticks to slippers can be designed to look like pandas, one Chinese energy company is going a step further by building 100 solar farms shaped like the bears along the route of the ambitious Belt and Road initiative.
Panda Green Energy Group has already connected one such 50-megawatt (MW) plant to the grid in the northern province of Shanxi, the first step in a public relations stunt that emphasises the cuddly side of the world's No.2 economy.
Built with darker crystalline silicon and lighter-coloured thin film solar cells, the plant resembles a cartoon giant panda from the air.
The Hong Kong-based firm is currently in talks with Canada, Australia, Germany and Italy to launch more panda-shaped power stations.
The Belt and Road initiative is a plan to emulate the ancient Silk Road by opening new trade corridors across the globe using roads, power lines, ports and energy pipelines.
A 100-MW panda power plant would be expected to generate 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy over 25 years, according to the company, capable of supplying power to over 10,000 households annually.
Panda Green Energy is currently constructing its second panda power plant in Shanxi, which accounts for a quarter of China's coal reserves.
Utilisation of one panda solar power plant will save the equivalent of a total 1.06 million tonnes of coal and cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 2.74 million tonnes in 25 years, the company said.
The firm has been investing in and running solar power plants in China's major solar hubs such as Xinjiang and Qinghai province, as well as some solar projects in Britain.
Shanxi aims to install 12 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2020 versus 1.13 gigawatts installed in 2015. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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