China Races to Build World's Largest Solar Farm to Meet Emissions Targets
Chinese officials last month unveiled what they claim will become the world’s largest solar farm, sprawling across 610 square kilometers (235 square miles) on a Tibetan plateau roughly the size of Chicago.The massive project highlights China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity, which has contributed to a 1% decline in the country’s carbon emissions in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to a study released Thursday. The decline continues a trend that began in March 2024, suggesting China may have peaked its emissions years ahead of its 2030 target.
“This is a structural decline in emissions, not just a temporary dip,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. He noted that to meet China’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, emissions will still need to fall an average of 3% annually over the next 35 years.
China installed 212 gigawatts of solar capacity in just the first six months of 2025 surpassing the entire U.S. solar capacity of 178 gigawatts as of 2024. Solar power has now overtaken hydropower and is set to surpass wind as the largest source of clean energy in the country.
Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, called the trend a “moment of global significance,” adding that it proves a country can reduce emissions while still growing economically. Yet he warned that China’s dependence on coal remains a critical hurdle.
The Tibetan plateau project blends energy production with ecological benefits. Solar panels act as windbreaks to limit dust and soil evaporation, while thousands of “photovoltaic sheep” graze beneath them. Wang Anwei, energy chief of Hainan Prefecture, described it as a “win-win” scenario: energy generation on top, vegetation and grazing below.
Once completed, the farm will host over 7 million panels, producing enough electricity for five million households. Transmission lines are being built to deliver power to eastern China’s population and industrial centers, but challenges remain due to the existing grid’s dependence on coal-fired plants.
Zhang Jinming, vice governor of Qinghai province, acknowledged the logistical hurdles, noting the mismatch between green energy production in the west and industrial demand in the east.
“This requires major changes in both coal plant operations and the transmission network,” said Myllyvirta. “It’s no small task.”
No Comment to " China Races to Build World's Largest Solar Farm to Meet Emissions Targets "