Did you know? Solar can be more than eco-friendly, it can also be cute! The Panda Power Plant in Datong, China, is evidence of this.
Shaped like a panda — China’s most beloved animal, the plant was installed by Panda Green Energy. In its first phase, the Panda Power Plant can generate 50 megawatts (MW) of clean energy. Only recently was the first phase of the giant solar station connected to the grid.
When completed, the panda power plant will have an aggregate installed capacity of 100 MW. As PV Magazine reports, the black parts of the panda will be comprised of monocrystalline silicon solar cells while the gray and white parts are composed of thin film solar cells.
Panda Green Energy entered into an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to advocate for renewable energy. With a youth activity center at the Panda Power Plant, teaching schoolchildren the importance of adopting sustainable habits and investing in clean energy is a breeze.
Within 25 years, the Panda Power Plant will be able to offer 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy, says the company. All in all, this will save 1.056 million tons of coal and reduce carbon emissions by a whopping 2.74 million tons. That’s something to celebrate!
As part of the Panda 100 Program, more solar power plants in the shape of pandas are to be installed in Belt and Road areas — which are part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 21st-century strategy, known as Maritime Silk Road. Some might even be built outside of China, shares Inhabitat.
In the future, UNDP will pursue its mission to promote renewable energy by collaborating with China Merchants New Energy — the largest shareholder of Panda Green Energy — to host summer camps and design competitions.
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