Overview
Shanshan C is a 20 MW operational solar PV facility located in China. It contributes to the country's rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity under national clean energy targets.
Shanshan C is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in China, with an operational status and a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). This scale places it within the small-to-medium range for solar PV facilities in China, which hosts numerous utility-scale solar parks exceeding 100 MW. The plant's coordinates (42.981°N, 90.040°E) indicate a location in the Xinjiang region, an area with high solar irradiance suitable for solar energy generation. China operates under a national renewable energy framework that includes feed-in tariffs and renewable portfolio standards, driving massive solar deployment. The country is the world's largest solar market, with over 300 GW of installed solar capacity as of 2022. Shanshan C benefits from this supportive policy environment, which prioritizes grid integration and capacity expansion to meet China's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. The plant's environmental significance lies in its displacement of fossil fuel-based electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants. Solar PV installations like Shanshan C also have minimal water consumption compared to thermal power plants, supporting water conservation in arid regions. However, large-scale solar farms can impact land use and local ecosystems, requiring careful siting and mitigation measures.
Environmental context
The facility is located in a region with high solar insolation, typical of China's northwestern arid zones. Solar PV development here supports national renewable energy targets but may involve land-use changes and habitat fragmentation. The area's low population density reduces visual impact concerns, but grid integration challenges persist due to distance from demand centers. Dust and sand accumulation on panels can affect efficiency, requiring regular maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Shanshan C is a solar PV plant located in China, with approximate coordinates 42.981°N, 90.040°E, likely in the Xinjiang region.
Shanshan C has a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar facility.
Yes, Shanshan C is currently operational.
China supports solar PV through feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, and national targets for carbon neutrality by 2060, driving significant solar capacity additions.
Solar PV plants reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants compared to fossil fuel plants, and have low water consumption, which is beneficial in arid regions.