The Tengger Desert Solar Park, often called the “Great Wall of Solar,” showcases the country's commitment to clean energy on a colossal scale. 2 gigawatts and an area spanning over 25 square kilometers, this solar facility in the Gobi Desert is a shining example of renewable innovation.
Can a desert meet China's electricity demand by 2025?
Using 6–14.7 % of China's deserts can meet the country's electricity demand by 2025. Desert areas offer rich solar resources and low land use costs, ideal for large-scale new energy development. However, desert ecosystems are fragile, and large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power facilities pose ecological risks.
What is the solar power potential of China's deserts?
China's deserts have a solar power potential 2–4 times the global demand in 2022. Best sites for photovoltaic farms are in the Tibetan Plateau and the gravel Desert. China deserts' solar power potential reduces 73–170 % of global emissions. Using 6–14.7 % of China's deserts can meet the country's electricity demand by 2025.
The solar energy received by the worldwide desert regions within 6 h is roughly estimated more than the energy consumed by humankind in a year . To put it another way, electricity produced by covering 1% of the area of the Sahara desert with solar thermal plants is enough for the world annual power consumption .
A new site selection model for large PV plants in deserts was developed. China's deserts have a solar power potential 2–4 times the global demand in 2022. Best sites for photovoltaic farms are in the Tibetan Plateau and the gravel Desert. China deserts' solar power potential reduces 73–170 % of global emissions.
In the year 2022, the Chinese government proposed the construction of numerous expansive PV and wind power installations within sandy and gravel deserts (People's Daily, 2023). This approach will contribute to the expeditious advancement of China's renewable energy restructuring. Fig. 1. Map of solar resources and desert distributions.
Why are desert regions a good place to invest in solar energy?
Besides extensive exposure to sunlight, the desert regions also have mostly sunny weather with quite low rain precipitation, low population density and large land availability, which enable the possibility of large scale solar energy projects . Fig. 1.