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Innovative Solar Power Project Transforms Deserts in China into Lush Landscapes

Published October 29, 2024
16 days ago

In an awe-inspiring transformation, the fringes of the Ulan Buh Desert in northern China have witnessed the juxtaposition of technology and nature coming together through an innovative approach dubbed the "photovoltaic plus ecological governance" project. Spanning the terrain in orderly rows, photovoltaic panels harness the sun’s power while fostering the growth of lush plant life beneath the Chinese sky. This verdant surge, emerging between the panels, marks a striking contrast against the desolate yellow sands.





Chinese ecological experts like Zheng Qian perceive this as more than just an energy initiative; it serves as an environmental guardian against the area's harsh desert conditions. The calculated placement and heightened structure of the solar panels are specifically designed to curb water evaporation, allowing desert species—such as saxaul trees—to thrive, effectively anchoring the soil with their roots.


Once fully operational, this ambitious project in Dengkou County, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is poised to deliver an annual energy yield of 1.65 billion kilowatt-hours. Not only will this add 467 million yuan to the area's economic value, but it will also significantly reduce the carbon footprint by 1.72 million tonnes and decrease coal consumption by 672,700 tonnes per annum. During its construction, the project has generated employment for over 4,000 individuals, signifying a massive economic boon for the community.


The narrative of Dengkou's transformation is one reflecting endurance and commitment; from a scant 50,000 trees in 1949 to a staggering 77 percent desert coverage, the area has now seen 2.1 million mu of land become green belts. Inner Mongolia, in its vast expanse, stands as a vital barrier shielding the country from debilitating sandstorms.


The proactive approach of merging desertification countermeasures with the brisk pace of renewable energy projects has led Inner Mongolia to anticipate the revitalization of 2.3 million mu of desert this year alone, paired with the installation of new-energy apparatus projecting a capacity of 27.27 million kilowatts.


Shaya County in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, skirting the Taklamakan Desert, has been a daunting site for photovoltaic endeavors due to desert dust accumulation. However, a company specializing in desertification control encountered a groundbreaking solution, which couples water collection and solar power generation. This method assists in panel maintenance and the sustained growth of native vegetation, which suffers under the region's arid climate.


An innovative solution has been found in the underlying brackish water, and solar-powered pumps are envisaged to efficiently water and maintain the desert flora. This strategy outperforms traditional methods financially and environmentally. Expanding beyond mere planting, companies are exploring the incorporation of medicinal plants like Cistanche deserticola into the mix to propel the local health product and liquor sectors, transforming the desolate sands into fertile ground for commerce and cultivation.


Photovoltaic desertification control beckons as a beacon of hope, representing China's commitment to tackling desertification through the prism of sustainable technology. As these projects continue to expand, they reflect an inspiring fusion of human innovation with ecological prescience, charting a green path forward in regions once resigned to barrenness.


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