China Is Now the World's Largest Solar Power Producer (digitaltrends.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Digital Trends: Not only is it the world's most populous country, it's now also the world's biggest producer of solar energy. On Saturday, the National Energy Administration (NEA) noted that the nation officially claimed the title after doubling its installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity last year. By the end of 2016, China's capacity hit 77.42 gigawatts, and while this is great in terms of raw numbers, it's a lot less impressive relative to the country's massive population. As it stands, solar energy represents only one percent of the country's energy output. But this may soon change as China devotes more and more of its attention towards clean energy. The NEA says that China will seek to add more than 110 gigawatts within the next three years, which could help the nation up the proportion of its renewable energy use to 20 percent by 2030. Today, it stands at 11 percent.

Comments

Re:Wow!

[DeathElk]

At least they're working toward solving the problem, unlike Australia and USA, who would rather bury their head in the sand, deny there is a problem or spread FUD on renewables.

Very misleading summary

[tomhath]

By the end of 2016, China's capacity hit 77.42 gigawatts,... As it stands, solar energy represents only one percent of the country's energy output...The NEA says that China will seek to add more than 110 gigawatts within the next three years, which could help the nation up the proportion of its renewable energy use to 20 percent by 2030

Adding the 110 gigawatts of "capacity" is a drop in the bucket. Capacity doesn't mean much actual power generated when it comes to solar.

Re:also the biggest carbon emitter - yay!

[OrangeTide]

At least China does long term planning, we throw away all our work every election cycle when chickenshit voters elect anti-science idiots full of fake promises.

Re:Wow!

[Zontar The Mindless]

The air quality in Guangdong is certainly improved over what it was the first time I came to the region, roughly ten years ago. Don't let "perfect" be the enemy of "better".