In order to boost the solar power industry to the next level as well as minimize the risks among, China's National Energy Administration has lately announced the National Solar Thermal Power Demonstration Project. This project has approved the first batch of solar thermal power demonstration plants.
Most of China's solar power is generated within its western provinces and is transferred to other regions of the country. In 2011, China owned the largest solar power plant in the world at the time, the Huanghe Hydropower Golmud Solar Park, which had a photovoltaic capacity of 200 MW.
As of at least 2024, China has one third of the world's installed solar panel capacity. Most of China's solar power is generated within its western provinces and is transferred to other regions of the country.
By 2024 China is building 30 Concentrated Solar Power Projects as part of gigawatt-scale renewable energy complexes in each province, appropriately reflecting the urgency and scale needed for climate action
Photovoltaic research in China began in 1958 with the development of China's first piece of monocrystalline silicon. Research continued with the development of solar cells for space satellites in 1968. The Institute of Semiconductors of the Chinese Academy of Sciences led this research for a year, stopping after batteries failed to operate.
In general, photovoltaic power is considered as the main form of solar power and has accounted for the vast majority of solar power in almost every country. While solar thermal power is at a low level of development on the whole. As an energy superpower, China is one of the most active photovoltaic participants in the world.