U.S. satellites indicate China's solar dominance.
The construction of the "great solar wall" is taking place.
Images taken by two Earth observation satellites operated by the United States Geological Survey have shown accelerated growth of solar parks in a remote region of northern China, specifically in the Kubuqi Desert. This development is part of the ambitious plan by the Asian nation to build a "great solar wall" aimed at generating enough energy to supply Beijing. The latter, with a population of approximately 22 million residents, represents more than two and a half times the number of residents in New York City.
Images from the Landsat satellites, compared between 2017 and 2024, highlight a significant section of this solar expansion. The project will continue to grow and is expected to reach a length of 250 miles and a width of 3 miles by 2030. Although, to date, China's energy mix is still dominated by fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas accounted for 87% of its energy supply in 2022—the country recognizes the importance of increasing its renewable energy capacity.
As of June 2024, China holds the world leadership in operational solar park capacity, with 386,875 megawatts, which represents approximately 51% of the global total, according to data from the Global Energy Monitor solar tracker. The United States ranks second with 79,364 megawatts (11%), followed by India, with 53,114 megawatts (7%).
Energy experts emphasize that solar power, like wind power, is crucial for sustainable energy supply, as they are renewable resources that have proven to reduce energy costs. Although fossil fuels remain essential in most current energy matrices, the economic trend favoring solar energy is evident, as demonstrated by satellite observations in the Kubuqi Desert.