China launches world's first high altitude photovoltaic demo project

(ECNS) -- An ultra-high altitude photovoltaic demonstration project operated by China State Power Investment Corp was commenced 4,000 kilometers above sea level in Xiangcheng County in Sichuan Province on Tuesday.

With an investment exceeding $3.5billion, the demonstration project has a total installed capacity of 400 MW and is expected to be put into operation by the end of September next year. After completion, the annual output of the project will reach 774 million KWH. It can help save 238,000 tons of standard coal and reduce 650,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The first photovoltaic power station at such a high altitude, this demo project is also of precious ingenuity. It was built in the mid-latitude region and especially on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of western Sichuan Province.

On the plateau, abundant light and radiation greatly facilitate the design and operation of photovoltaic devices and systems, paving the way for future industrial development. However, the unpleasant climate conditions also pose severe challenges for project implementation and device performance.

Xiangcheng County is part of Ganze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a demonstration area for ecology. So, the contractors also aim to find a path to protect local grasslands while developing power projects.