China raises solar power target for 2011 to 2 GW

Jul. 3, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China is targeting an installed solar power capacity of 2 GW by 2011, a 15-fold increase from the 140-MW capacity it had at the end of last year, according to an insider close to the situation.

Furthermore, under the new energy stimulus plan, China revised its 2020 target for solar capacity to 20 GW, a 12.5-fold increase over the 1.8 GW in 2007.

China is considering enhancing incentives as the solar industry has been hit hard since the end of last year due to the global financial recession.

The National Energy Administration (NEA) has decided to set the subsidized price for solar power at RMB 1.09 per kWh, adopting the bid price for a 10-MW solar power plant in Dunhuang, Gansu Province.

Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Shaanxi, which all have abundant sunshine, are the six provinces and regions most suitable for installing solar stations, said Shen Yanbo, an expert from the National Climate Center.