Desert is one of the most difficult terrains for humans to conquer. It occupies a quarter of the Earth's land area, but can only support less than 1% of the population

Desert is one of the most difficult terrains for humans to conquer. It occupies a quarter of the Earth's land area, but can only support less than 1% of the population. The existence of deserts not only causes serious ecological problems such as land desertification, water scarcity, and decreased biodiversity, but also brings enormous difficulties and challenges to human production and life. How to harness deserts and turn them into oases is a daunting task facing humanity.

In this seemingly hopeless place, China quietly did something big. All of this has attracted the attention and admiration of foreign media.

So what great things has China done?

The answer is to use photovoltaic power generation technology to build solar power plants in the desert.

This approach not only utilizes the abundant solar energy resources in the desert to provide clean and renewable electricity for the country and society, but also drives the greening and governance of the desert, forming a model of "on board power generation, under board restoration, and inter board planting".

It is reported that China has built over 100 photovoltaic power generation projects in desert areas, with a total installed capacity of over 200 gigawatts, equivalent to the power generation of 20 Three Gorges dams.

These projects not only provide a large amount of clean energy for the country and society, but also create employment opportunities and income sources for local residents.

This article will analyze and interpret the background, significance, effectiveness, and challenges of China's construction of photovoltaic power stations in the desert from multiple perspectives, including depth and breadth, and propose some personal opinions and suggestions.

China is a country with vast territory and complex and diverse natural conditions, with nearly 10000 square kilometers of land affected by desertification, making it one of the countries with the most severe wind and sand hazards in the world.

Desertification not only threatens the survival and development of countries and ethnic groups, but also leads to a series of environmental problems such as soil erosion, climate change, and ecological degradation.

In order to prevent the spread and expansion of desertification, China has implemented a series of desertification control projects since the 1950s. The most important and traditional methods are afforestation, wind prevention and sand fixation.

By planting trees or shrubs with strong adaptability, drought resistance, salt tolerance, and rapid growth on the edge or interior of the desert, windbreak belts or oases can be formed, thereby reducing wind and sand invasion and soil loss.

Although this approach has achieved certain results, there are also many problems and difficulties.

Firstly, afforestation requires a large amount of human, material, and financial investment, with a low survival rate and high maintenance difficulty.Under harsh natural conditions, tree planting workers face difficulties such as high temperatures, drought, sandstorms, and a lack of water sources. It is difficult to attract and retain tree planting workers without economic benefits and social security.

Secondly, afforestation requires a significant consumption of water resources, which are the most scarce and precious resources in desert areas.Overexploitation of groundwater or diversion of water for irrigation can exacerbate water scarcity and ecological imbalance.

Once again, planting trees and afforestation require a large amount of land, which is the most scarce and valuable resource in desert areas.Overoccupation of land can affect the livelihoods and development of local residents, as well as damage the natural landscape and ecological functions of the desert.

Although traditional methods of desertification control have certain significance, they also have problems such as high investment, low returns, low efficiency, and poor sustainability. How to achieve economic and social benefits while controlling desertification is a major challenge facing China.

With the progress and innovation of technology, China has found a new type of desertification control method, which is to use photovoltaic power generation technology to build solar power plants in the desert.

This approach not only utilizes the abundant solar energy resources in the desert to provide clean and renewable electricity for the country and society, but also drives the greening and governance of the desert, forming a model of "on board power generation, under board restoration, and inter board planting".

Photovoltaic power generation technology is a technology that utilizes solar cells to convert solar energy into electricity. It has the advantages of cleanliness, safety, no noise, no pollution, and no transportation costs, making it an ideal new energy source.

Desert areas, on the other hand, have conditions such as high light intensity, long sunshine duration, dry air, and no obstructions, making them very suitable for building photovoltaic power stations.

In recent years, China has built large-scale photovoltaic power stations in the desert, becoming the world's largest photovoltaic power generation country. It is reported that China has built over 100 photovoltaic power generation projects in desert areas, with a total installed capacity of over 200 gigawatts, equivalent to the power generation of 20 Three Gorges dams.

These projects not only provide a large amount of clean energy for the country and society, but also create employment opportunities and income sources for local residents.

At the same time, these photovoltaic power generation projects have also driven the greening and governance of deserts. On the one hand, photovoltaic panels can block strong sunlight, reduce surface temperature, reduce water evaporation, and improve soil moisture. On the other hand, some plants that adapt to desert environments, such as cacti, seabuckthorn, artemisia, etc., can be planted below the photovoltaic panels. By utilizing the shading and drip irrigation of the photovoltaic panels, a micro ecosystem can be formed. These plants not only fix the sand and prevent wind and sand invasion, but also provide some economic crops and medicinal materials, increasing the income of local residents.

In addition, short crops such as potatoes, beans, vegetables, etc. can also be planted between photovoltaic panels, utilizing the reflection and scattering of photovoltaic panels to increase light intensity and uniformity. These crops can not only improve land use efficiency and yield, but also improve soil fertility and structure.

Through this model of "on board power generation, under board restoration, and inter board planting", China has built a number of photovoltaic power stations in the desert that combine energy, ecological, and economic benefits. These projects not only provide a large amount of clean energy for the country and society, but also create employment opportunities and income sources for local residents, and contribute to the greening and governance of deserts.

China's practice of building photovoltaic power stations in the desert has been highly recognized and praised by the United Nations.

On October 17, 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the "2023 Global Report on the Status of Desertification and Drought", which evaluated and summarized the progress and achievements of countries worldwide in combating desertification and drought.

The report points out that China is one of the most successful countries in combating desertification and drought globally, and also one of the largest photovoltaic power generation countries in the world. The report specifically mentions China's approach to building photovoltaic power stations in the desert and calls it an "innovative solution" that provides reference and inspiration for other countries.

The report also listed several typical cases of China's construction of photovoltaic power stations in the desert, such as Dalate Banner in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan City, Ningxia, and Ganzhou District in Zhangye City, Gansu Province.

These cases demonstrate the scale, effectiveness, and impact of China's construction of photovoltaic power stations in the desert. For example, in Dalate Banner, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, there is a photovoltaic power generation base covering an area of approximately 1000 square kilometers, with a total installed capacity of 12.2 gigawatts, equivalent to the power generation of three Three Gorges dams. This project not only provides stable electricity supply to the local area, but also drives nearly 100000 people to lift themselves out of poverty and become rich.

The report also emphasizes the significance and value of China's construction of photovoltaic power stations in the desert. The report believes that this approach can not only effectively utilize the abundant solar energy resources in the desert, reduce dependence and emissions on fossil fuels, but also promote the restoration and protection of desert ecosystems, increase biodiversity and productivity in desert areas, and improve the living standards and happiness of people in desert areas.

The report also points out that China's practice of building photovoltaic power stations in the desert has provided important contributions and demonstrations for the global response to climate change and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The report believes that this approach is in line with multiple goals in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as poverty eradication, ensuring clean energy, addressing climate change, and protecting the ecological environment.

The report concludes with high praise and affirmation for China's approach to building photovoltaic power stations in the desert, and calls on countries around the world to learn from China's experience and practices, work together to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

conclusion

In short, China's construction of photovoltaic power stations in the desert is an innovative method of desertification control. It not only utilizes the rich solar energy resources in the desert to provide clean and renewable electricity for the country and society, but also drives the greening and governance of the desert, forming a model of "on board power generation, under board restoration, and inter board planting".

This approach not only provides a large amount of clean energy for the country and society, but also creates employment opportunities and income sources for local residents, and contributes to the greening and governance of deserts.

This approach has been highly recognized and praised by the United Nations, and is seen as an innovative solution that provides reference and inspiration for other countries.

This approach also provides important contributions and demonstrations for the global response to climate change and the achievement of sustainable development goals, and is in line with multiple goals in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This approach reflects China's leading position and responsibility in combating desertification and drought, as well as its strength and determination in scientific and technological innovation and green development.

This approach is a desertification control method with Chinese characteristics, Chinese wisdom, and Chinese solutions, which is worthy of our pride and pride.

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