China aims to become a world leader in the field of renewable energy, particularly in regard to solar power. In fact, in recent years, it has almost completely monopolized panel production and solar energy globally. The country is installing solar power projects in a range of different terrains, from deserts to mudflats, in an effort to reach its green development goals. A video has recently gone viral that features a mountain range covered in solar panels. Let’s take a closer look at the video and discuss China’s ongoing efforts to move towards renewable energy.
The Viral Video Featuring A Mountain Range Covered In Solar Panels
You may have already seen the footage circulating online yourself. Taken in China’s Guizhou province, it shows how massive the project really is. Recorded with a drone, the footage reveals an entire mountain range covered in solar panels. The entire scene looks like a video game rendered in low-polygon style, an undulating mountain of shimmering rectangles and access roads. Unfortunately, the footage eventually ended when the drone battery started to run low. So, why did China decide to use this location for such a massive installation?
Perfect Location For Solar Installation
The Guizhou province is very mountainous, and due to the climate and high altitude, the land is not suited for agricultural activities on a global scale. However, in recent decades, the government realized that this is the perfect location for solar installations. In 2015, the first solar installation went online in the Guizhou province. At first, progress was relatively slow, but by 2018, the province was generating around 1.75 million kilowatts annually. This was enough solar energy to power approximately 1,300 households in China. Only two years later, the province was said to be generating more than 10 million kilowatts per year!
Ambitious Goals
The province was able to generate so much more in 2020 thanks to cheap property prices, affordable renewable energy-related bank loans, and government subsidies. Only three years later, the province was generating 15 million kilowatts per year, and only seems to be on the increase. The Chinese government stated in 2020 that it plans to triple its output by the year 2030. This was viewed by many critics as an overly ambitious goal, especially considering that the country is the global leader in the production of coal-sourced energy.
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A Major Player On the Global Renewable Energy Stage
China manufactured 64% of all utility-scale wind and solar construction as of last year. They are currently constructing infrastructure that will be capable of generating 339 gigawatt hours of renewable energy. In comparison, the next four biggest producers had a combined total of 72 gigawatt hours. These countries are the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Beijing is so far ahead that it could even potentially reach its renewable energy targets within this year.
The Long Road To Carbon Neutrality
However, the country still has a long way to go before it reaches anything near a carbon-neutral state. However, this is a goal that the president plans to reach by 2060. At the moment. Coal power comprises almost 57% of China’s total electrical output. Yet, coal consumption nationally has actually declined ahead of the anticipated timeline. While the country is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels such as coal for its energy production, it is still leagues ahead of other nations when it comes to renewable energy capacity and production. While the video may raise some eyebrows, considering that the land cannot be used for much else, it may not be as dystopian as social media makes it out to be.
The Future Looks Bright
The current human population is estimated to be somewhere around 8.2 billion people. Each and every one of those people requires power to fulfill daily requirements, for both work and home. However, our reliance on fossil fuels is causing massive destruction to large swathes of land, destroying natural resources, and fueling climate change. Without a move towards renewable energy, our days on this planet are numbered. Thankfully, many nations around the world have realized how necessary this change is and have implemented projects that may help counteract our reliance on coal. The mountain range covered in solar panels may seem alarming, but when compared to the damage caused by fossil fuel production, it makes sense.
The Bottom Line On the Mountain Range Covered in Solar Panels
As shocking as it may look, the viral video reveals the ongoing efforts of nations to address the ever-growing issue of climate change. We need to act today to ensure that there is a tomorrow for future generations. We need more countries to move towards renewable energy if we hope to find a sustainable solution to our power needs.
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