AsiaElec: Chinese rooftop solar booming on back of public installations

Solar capacity installations across China in 2022 are expected to reach 108 GW, sources in the capital Beijing now say.

If realised, the figure will be almost double the 55-GW total solar capacity installed across the nation in 2021.

According to government figures, installed capacity to date in 2022 had reached 24 GW by the end of May.

It is understood that much of the increase is down to central government-backed drives to install rooftop capacity on public buildings the length and breadth of the country.

Earlier in the month, China’s housing department in conjunction with the National Development and Reform Commission revealed a plan to cover half of all new public buildings and factories with solar panels by 2025.

Coupled to a 2021 policy adopted by the National Energy Bureau aimed at covering 50% of government buildings in addition to 40% of other public facilities, including hospitals and schools, with solar panels, the joint policies have attracted interest from hundreds of counties across the nation.