Overview
Shanshan D is a 20 MW operational solar PV facility located in China. It contributes to the country's rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.
Shanshan D 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 utility-scale solar installations in the country, which hosts some of the world's largest solar farms exceeding 1 GW. The facility is situated at coordinates 42.981000°N, 90.018000°E, in a region with high solar irradiance suitable for solar energy generation. China is the global leader in solar PV deployment, driven by strong national policies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy, which targets 1,200 GW of wind and solar capacity by 2030. The country also operates a feed-in tariff system and provincial renewable portfolio standards that incentivize solar development. Shanshan D operates under this supportive regulatory framework, benefiting from grid connection guarantees and subsidies that have accelerated solar adoption across China. The environmental significance of Shanshan D lies in its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. Solar PV systems have minimal water consumption and low operational emissions, though they require land use and can impact local ecosystems. In the arid region where Shanshan D is located, careful siting helps mitigate land-use conflicts. The facility supports China's goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Environmental context
The facility is located in a region with high solar insolation, typical of China's northwestern arid zones. Solar PV installations in such areas can affect local land use and wildlife, but careful site selection minimizes ecological disruption. The region's low population density reduces visual impact concerns. Grid integration of variable solar power remains a challenge, but China's investments in ultra-high-voltage transmission lines help balance supply and demand.
Frequently asked questions
Shanshan D is a solar PV plant located in China at coordinates 42.981000°N, 90.018000°E, in a region with high solar irradiance.
Shanshan D has a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW), placing it in the small-to-medium scale for utility solar in China.
Shanshan D uses solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
China supports solar through the 14th Five-Year Plan targeting 1,200 GW of wind and solar by 2030, feed-in tariffs, and provincial renewable portfolio standards.
Solar PV plants have low operational emissions and water use, but require land and can affect local ecosystems. Proper siting mitigates these impacts.