Solar-Powered Mirage: Transforming Kubuqi Desert with Photovoltaics

In Ordos, China, a vast solar power station is transforming the once barren Kubuqi Desert into a thriving ecosystem. With 196,000 solar panels forming the silhouette of a horse, the project not only generates clean energy but also supports local livelihoods and combats desertification through innovative solar-powered desert reclamation techniques.

In Ordos, China, a massive solar power station comprising 196,000 panels has spectacularly transformed the Kubuqi Desert's landscape. The panels, which form an artistic silhouette of a galloping horse, are part of a sweeping desert reclamation project that merges photovoltaic power generation with ecological restoration.

Tourists are astounded by the lush vegetation and sun-tracking solar panels that now dominate what was once called the 'sea of death.' This innovative project not only generates 100 million kilowatts of clean energy but also reduces groundwater evaporation, provides shade, and promotes plant growth, significantly combating desertification.

The initiative offers substantial economic benefits to locals, who participate in land leasing, construction, and agriculture. Enhanced by solar-powered water pumps and drip irrigation, the project has increased local incomes and provided stable employment opportunities. By 2030, it aims to create 50,000 jobs and significantly boost the ecological industry's annual output.

(With inputs from agencies.)