Taizhou constructs first of 38 solar plants

Construction of Taizhou City’s first solar photovoltaic power station has started. It is being supported by the central government with financial subsidies. The station is the first among the city’s four solar power plants that have been identified and approved by the Ministries of Finance and House and Urban-Rural Development as national pilot projects.

With an investment of approximately US$882,000 from a local solar energy company, the plant is expected to be completed at the end of November with an expected installed capacity of 212 kilowatts. It has a service life of approximately 25 years and will eliminate the need for 77 tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by some 200 tons and 2 tons respectively annually, on average.

According to the China Solar News Digest, Taizhou has, to date, secured regulatory approval for 38 solar power projects, including the four national pilot projects. All of these projects will be completed by the end of 2011, with combined installed capacity expected to reach 3 megawatts, according to the city’s urban planning authorities.