World’s 1st Dual-Tower Solar Thermal Plant with 30,000 Mirrors Sets New Standards in Clean Energy

China’s new solar thermal plant uses 30,000 mirrors to generate clean energy 24/7, preventing 1.7 million tons of carbon pollution annually while advancing the nation’s renewable energy goals.

Key Points

• China’s solar thermal plant in Gansu Province uses 30,000 mirrors to generate electricity.
• The plant’s design allows it to operate 24/7, thanks to heat storage in molten salt.
• This innovative facility is part of China’s broader clean energy strategy, aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
• The complex will produce 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
• The project supports China’s goal to build 1,200 gigawatts of cleaner energy capacity by 2030.

An awe-inspiring spectacle has taken shape near Guazhou County in China’s Gansu Province, where nearly 30,000 mirrors move in unison, reflecting sunlight onto two towering structures. This is China’s latest achievement in renewable energy: a dual-tower solar thermal plant.

While solar panels are a common sight around the globe, harnessing sunlight for electricity, this solar thermal plant operates on a different principle. Instead of converting sunlight directly into electricity, the plant’s thousands of mirrors focus sunlight onto the two central towers, each receiving up to 94% of the light that strikes them. This concentrated energy generates immense heat, which can be used for various industrial processes, including smelting.

Similar to traditional coal-fired and nuclear power plants, this solar thermal facility uses heat to convert water into steam, which then powers turbines to generate electricity. However, unlike its fossil-fuel counterparts, this plant operates without polluting the atmosphere.

What sets this solar thermal plant apart is its ability to store heat using a vast reservoir of molten salt. This stored heat functions much like a battery, enabling the plant to produce electricity even after the sun has set. As a result, this plant can deliver solar power around the clock, making it a significant breakthrough in renewable energy.

The mirrors surrounding the towers are designed to track the sun throughout the day, optimizing energy capture. In the morning, they focus on the eastern tower, and as the day progresses, many shift their focus to the western tower. This strategic configuration is expected to boost efficiency by 24%, according to Wen Jianghong, the project manager, who spoke to China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The innovative design of the plant also allows for potential expansion, with the possibility of adding more towers to increase efficiency further. The Guazhou solar thermal plant is part of a larger complex that will include wind and solar energy facilities. Together, they are expected to generate 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, significantly contributing to China’s renewable energy supply.

In addition to its efficiency, the plant is a major step forward in reducing carbon emissions. It is estimated to prevent about 1.7 million tons of carbon pollution each year, aligning with China’s ambitious goal to develop 1,200 gigawatts of clean energy capacity by 2030.

This solar thermal plant is not China’s only venture into solar towers. The nation has also commenced work on what is projected to become the world’s largest solar tower by capacity, further cementing its role as a leader in renewable energy innovation.