1,000 MW hybrid solar power plant combining photovoltaic (PV) technology with concentrated solar power (CSP) has been connected to the electricity grid in northwest China's Qinghai Province.
According to the CCTV+, developed by PowerChina, the project integrates large-scale solar generation with thermal energy storage to improve the availability of renewable electricity. The project has been commissioned at full capacity and features a 219.1-metre-high tower and 10,310 solar mirrors.
The facility comprises 900 MW of photovoltaic capacity and a 100 MW CSP unit. While PV panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, the CSP system concentrates solar radiation using mirrors to generate heat. This thermal energy can be stored in molten salt and used to produce electricity when solar radiation decreases.
The plant is equipped with a thermal energy storage system designed to provide up to eight hours of storage. This capability allows electricity generation to be managed more flexibly and supports a more consistent supply of solar power to the grid beyond periods of peak sunshine.
The project is expected to generate approximately 2.2 billion kWh of electricity annually. According to initial estimates, its operation could help avoid around 2.07 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
By combining the high-capacity electricity generation of PV technology with the storage capabilities of CSP, the project demonstrates an approach to improving the flexibility of solar power. Such hybrid facilities can help address the intermittent nature of solar generation and support the integration of renewable energy into electricity networks.
