Photovoltaic power station brings vitality to abandoned land

On sunny days, arrays of photovoltaic cell panels that were installed on abandoned farmlands in Haoshui village, Xiaozhaiba town of Xifeng county, Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province, shine under the sun.

Compared with coal power stations, photovoltaic power stations have a reduced carbon dioxide emission of about 103,200 metric tons, which is equivalent to planting 5.73 million trees, said Bi Xuedong, the manager of the photovoltaic power station.

The land where the station is located used to be barren and stony. It was unsuitable for crop growing. Last October, the photovoltaic power station began operation, bringing vitality and wealth to locals.

The project was invested in by the Guizhou branch of CNNC Rich Energy Co, with a total investment of 480 million yuan ($69.89 million) and an installed capacity of 100 megawatts.

"The project has adjusted the local energy structure, and also makes full use of vacant lands," said Lu Xiaofeng, a coordinator of the project. According to him, the villagers who have transferred their lands for the project are now paid 550 yuan per mu (0.07 hectare) of land every year.

In 2022, the installed capacity of renewable energy in Guiyang reached 62 percent of the city's total. In recent years, the city has accelerated steps to carry out its multiple power complementation program, which involves electricity generated from coal, water, wind and sunlight, in order to finally reach the dual carbon goals set by the central government.

"The photovoltaic cell panels block sunlight, rain and hailstones from the land, and now we are researching shade-loving plants to cultivate under the panels to raise the land utility rate and increase the income of locals," said Bi.