The largest integrated solar energy project in China, combining solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies, has been successfully connected to the grid in Hami, Xinjiang, according to the latest announcement from China Three Gorges Corporation.
From Global Times
The largest integrated solar energy project in China, combining solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies, has been successfully connected to the grid in Hami, Xinjiang, according to the latest announcement from China Three Gorges Corporation. This milestone project, which features cutting-edge “linear Fresnel” solar thermal technology, is designed to store solar energy during the day and generate stable electricity for up to eight hours at night.
The facility includes 260,000 solar-tracking mirrors that concentrate sunlight to produce thermal energy. Using molten salt as the heat storage medium, the system ensures efficient energy storage and release, enabling round-the-clock power generation. The project boasts a total installed capacity of 1 gigawatt, comprising a 100-megawatt linear Fresnel solar thermal power station and a 900-megawatt photovoltaic power station. Its solar thermal component spans 800,000 square meters of solar collection area and features an advanced 8-hour molten salt energy storage system.
Niu Jianle, project manager for the Three Gorges Energy Hami Solar Thermal Demonstration Project, highlighted the unique advantages of the "solar thermal + photovoltaic" approach. "This system enables continuous 24-hour power generation. During the day, photovoltaic technology is used to generate electricity, while solar thermal technology ensures uninterrupted energy supply at night," Niu explained. He also noted that the linear Fresnel design reduces construction time and delivers stable, reliable performance.
Once fully operational, the project will form a complementary clean energy base, with the solar thermal power station serving as a foundational regulating power source to balance the photovoltaic system. The project is expected to generate approximately 1.86 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.5 million tons.