The article discusses the government's new initiatives to integrate photovoltaic (PV) technology into rural areas as part of broader urbanization and agricultural modernization efforts. State Council Vice Premier Li Keqiang emphasized that the country is working to promote solar energy through measures like encouraging the use of solar power generation equipment, supporting distributed energy systems, and improving grid connectivity. These steps are aimed at boosting domestic market development and creating a more sustainable energy future.
According to reports from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has launched a plan called “Photovoltaics to the Countryside,†aiming to bring large-scale solar power generation into rural markets. This initiative is seen as a key driver for the next phase of urbanization. Additionally, recent policy developments from various ministries have been compiled into a national-level guidance framework, expected to be released soon.
Currently, there are about 50 million mu of standardized agricultural sheds nationwide. If all were equipped with PV systems, it could create a market worth 250 billion yuan. However, photovoltaic greenhouses represent only a small portion of this potential. More promising opportunities lie in residential rooftops across rural regions, where the total market potential for solar energy could reach over 1 trillion yuan.
Experts predict that by 2015, China’s photovoltaic capacity will surpass 50 million kilowatts—more than 15 times the 3 million kilowatts recorded at the end of 2011. To achieve such growth, the domestic PV market must diversify. During discussions with five ministries in Jiangsu, a State Councillor highlighted the importance of opening up the terminal market as the key solution.
Expanding the downstream application of photovoltaic power plants is central to this effort. Since the second half of the year, relevant authorities have taken significant steps: the National Energy Administration launched a 15 GW demonstration project for distributed solar power, while the Ministry of Finance expanded its “Golden Sun†program to over 3 million kilowatts.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has been conducting in-depth investigations into rural PV applications since May. Their findings revealed that apart from isolated uses in remote villages and public institutions, most rural areas remain largely untapped for solar energy. As a result, the ministry is leading a large-scale “PV to the Countryside†initiative.
Under this plan, the government will rely on the existing “Energy-Saving Products Project†to select qualified solar products and companies. Farmers and developers using these products will receive state subsidies to stimulate demand. This strategy aims to make solar energy more accessible and affordable in rural communities.
With the country pushing forward with urbanization and agricultural modernization, the rural PV sector is poised to benefit from favorable conditions. Experts believe that green and circular agriculture are essential for these two transformations, and large-scale solar adoption can play a critical role in achieving them.
Wang Shijiang expressed optimism about combining PV with facility agriculture, but Wang Runchuan of JA Solar remains cautiously optimistic. He noted that while the rural market holds great potential, current challenges include a lack of subsidies, unclear investment returns, and technical barriers related to grid integration and electricity pricing.
He also pointed out that even basic family solar systems can be expensive for low-income rural households. Moreover, maintenance services are still limited in many areas, and the process of connecting excess power to the local grid involves complex approval procedures and policy hurdles. For now, the rural PV market remains an area full of promise but also significant obstacles.
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