Overview
Longyangxia Solar-Hydro II is a 530 MW solar PV facility in Qinghai Province, China, integrated with the Longyangxia hydroelectric plant. It is one of the world's largest solar-hydro hybrid projects.
Longyangxia Solar-Hydro II is a large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Qinghai Province, China, near the Longyangxia Reservoir. With a capacity of 530 megawatts (MW), it ranks among the world's largest solar-hydro hybrid facilities, combining solar energy generation with the existing hydroelectric dam to enhance grid stability and renewable energy output. The plant operates under China's supportive renewable energy policies, including feed-in tariffs and national targets for non-fossil fuel energy. Solar PV technology is widely deployed in China, which leads global solar capacity. The facility's scale places it in the large utility-scale category, typical for China's ambitious solar expansion in western regions with high solar irradiance. Environmentally, the hybrid configuration reduces land-use impact by sharing infrastructure with the hydro plant and improves grid integration by smoothing intermittent solar output. This model supports China's goals for carbon neutrality by 2060 and demonstrates innovative approaches to renewable energy deployment in arid, high-altitude regions.
Environmental context
The Longyangxia site in Qinghai Province features high solar irradiance and arid conditions, suitable for large-scale solar PV. The hybrid solar-hydro design minimizes additional land disturbance and leverages existing reservoir infrastructure. This integration helps mitigate visual and land-use impacts while enhancing renewable energy reliability in a region with significant ecological sensitivity.
Frequently asked questions
Longyangxia Solar-Hydro II is located in Qinghai Province, China, near the Longyangxia Reservoir on the Yellow River.
The facility has a capacity of 530 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest solar-hydro hybrid plants in the world.
The solar PV array generates electricity during daylight hours, while the hydroelectric plant can adjust output to balance grid demand, smoothing the intermittent nature of solar power.
China's renewable energy framework includes feed-in tariffs, national renewable portfolio standards, and targets for carbon neutrality by 2060, which encourage large-scale solar and hybrid projects.
Hybrid plants reduce land use by sharing infrastructure, improve grid integration, and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel plants, while minimizing visual impact in sensitive areas.