The first phase of the Huaneng Nagu Photovoltaic Power Station, the world's highest-altitude solar power project, has been officially connected to the state grid in the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, at an altitude of over 5,240 meters, China Huaneng Group Co announced, CMG reported on December 24, 2024. Photo: a screenshot of CMG's report

The first phase of the Huaneng Nagu Photovoltaic Power Station, the world's highest-altitude solar power project located at an altitude of over 5,240 meters, has been officially linked to the state grid in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, China Huaneng Group Co announced, per a report from China Group Media (CMG) on Tuesday.

The Huaneng Nagu Photovoltaic Power Station is a part of the Huaneng Lancang River integrated clean energy base. It is situated in the high-altitude, frigid, and uninhabited region of Deqen County. Covering 126.67 hectares at elevations of between 4,800 and 5,300 meters, the first phase includes 32 photovoltaic array zones with around 200,000 dual-glass bifacial panels, with a total installed capacity of 100 megawatts, according to CMG.

The project encountered severe challenges posed by the harsh high-altitude environment, including freezing temperatures and difficult terrain. The construction team overcame technical hurdles such as building on marshland and glacial debris, improving photovoltaic panel efficiency in heavy frost, and ensuring the insulation performance of high-altitude equipment. These initiatives set a replicable benchmark and offered invaluable experience for future ultra-high-altitude solar projects in China.

"Yunnan's plateau offers excellent sunlight conditions, enabling highly efficient and cost-effective solar power generation. With advanced and globally leading technology, China continues to lead in photovoltaic advancements globally," Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

China's photovoltaic industry has rapidly expanded its capability in recent years, allowing for the construction of world-class solar facilities. The country is dedicated to further advancing these projects in the coming years, according to Lin.

"However, the infrastructure and power generation stability of China's solar projects still require significant enhancement. Delivering power efficiently to end consumers remains a critical priority for future initiatives," Lin added.

China's new-energy industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, maintaining a double-digit annual growth rate, according to data released by the National Energy Administration on December 20.

Since 2013, the country's wind power installed capacity has grown six-fold, while that of solar power has surged more than 180 times. Annual new installations in China account for over 40 percent of the global total, making a significant contribution to the world's green development, according to the NEA.