The world’s tallest solar power plant

Chinese power producer China Huadian Corporation proceeds with the second phase of the Caipeng Solar Energy Storage Power Plant in Shannan, Tibet, located at an altitude of 5,228 m, making the facility the highest solar power plant world. This factory has passed phase 1 of construction at 5,100 m. The work proves that renewable energy projects can thrive in the most remote and harsh environments, Interesting Engineering reported on December 21.

Phase 2 of the Caipeng plant will cover 1.4 square kilometers and add an additional 100 MW of capacity, building on the initial 50 MW phase launched in December 2023. Combined, the two phases aims to resolve seasonal power shortages in central Tibet during winter and spring.

Construction of phase 2 begins in August 2024. Through the use of pre-installed racks and on-site assembly lines, PowerChina, the project’s contractor, completed the project in just 115 days, 42 days ahead of schedule. The above methods increased construction efficiency by 40% despite the challenging plateau environment.

The project uses N-type bifacial panels (TOPCon) that provide higher conversion efficiency and exploit the high snow reflectivity in the region to improve electricity production. According to PowerChina, this type of battery is 7.5% more efficient than conventional batteries. Advanced modules collect sunlight reflected from the ground, significantly enhancing energy production. The result is an overall efficiency of 20% compared to traditional monofacial solar panels, allowing for greater power generation and maximizing the potential of available sunlight.

The plant has a total capacity of 150 MW, including 170,000 photovoltaic panels and a 20 MW/80 MW energy storage system. This arrangement is designed to provide 80,000 kWh of electricity for up to four hours after dark, helping to solve electricity shortages in central Tibet. The 20 MW/80 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) from Sungrow features advanced stem cell storage technology, allowing for ultra-fast voltage, frequency regulation as well as grid stabilization. With liquid cooling technology and thermal management AI, the system improves safety and performance.

Double-sided battery technology not only improves performance under normal conditions but also takes advantage of snow and other reflective surfaces, especially in high-altitude environments like Tibet, where sunlight can more harsh.