China adds 9.9 GW solar energy capacity in first nine months

China added 9.9 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic (PV) power-generation capacity in the first nine months of 2015, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Tuesday. The amount includes 8.32 GW from PV power stations and 1.58 GW from distributed PV power projects, according to NEA figures.

 

China’s cumulative-installed capacity for solar PV power hit 37.95 GW by the end of September, with 31.70 GW from PV power stations and 6.25 GW from distributed PV power projects.

The first three quarters saw total PV power generation reach 30.6 billion kilowatt-hour (kWh).

The NEA data also showed China had 24.14 million kilowatts (KW) of nuclear power capacity by the end of September, and wind power capacity hit 108 GW.

By the end of 2020, China aims to increase non-fossil energy to 15 percent of total primary energy consumption, and sharply enhance the ratio of renewable energy in production.

The State Council released an action plan on energy development for 2014-2020 last November, promising more efficient, self-sufficient, green and innovative energy production and consumption.

China’s photovoltaic (PV) power capacity will hit 150 gigawatts by 2020, said a senior official on Tuesday.

Dong Xiufen, director of the new energy office with National Energy Administration (NEA), said that the country will continue expanding PV power generation in the next five years.

According to the NEA’s data, the country’s total PV power capacity stood at 35.8 gigawatts by the end of June this year.

Dong stressed that future work will focus on distributing PV in central and east China as well as PV stations in west China, to increase PV capacity by 20 gigawatts annually from 2016 to 2020.

Lower cost, technological innovation and better PV services are also expected, Dong added.

Huai Jinpeng, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), said the MIIT will continue to advance mergers and acquisitions among domestic solar PV companies and push forward technology upgrades.

He said further efforts are needed in technology research and development and company financing, and more policies are expected for PV power grid connection and subsidies.