As more people and nations understand the need for renewable energy in the face of critical rates of global warming and climate change, China has taken a rather unconventional shift in this race. Though it is both an economic powerhouse and one of the world?s largest polluters of greenhouse gases, it has also taken enormous measures regarding solar energy. It has recently overtook the United States for being the largest producers of renewable energy and in the last year, the implementation of panels has doubled. More has still yet to be done, however, as the existing factories and their emissions is enough to hinder the processing of energy due to the miniscule airborne pollutants.

Led by the China Merchants New Energy Group in Datong Shanxi and collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a new 100 megawatt solar plant has been built in the shape of not one, but two giant pandas. Currently, approximately 250 acres are set up out of the entire scope of 1500 acres. Plans are for the Panda Power Plant or PPP for short, to produce 3.2 billion kilowatt hours over the span of 25 years, eliminating the need to burn one million tons of coal in the same time frame. The design is made possible by using monocrystalline silicon for darker colors and thin film solar cells for lighter ones.

Many know the giant panda to be China?s national animal and until recently has been labelled as endangered. This is due to females reproducing at a slow rate but also because of over-urbanization, forcing many to flee their homes. Initiatives such as increasing reserves, putting forth policies, as well as awareness campaigns have helped this cause. Hopefully, in the near future, the label of ?vulnerable? can also be erased.

Benefits don?t stop here. Using this kind of a symbol hopes to attract youth action and interest in renewable energy and also sustainable development as a whole. Within the next five years, goals are to have around 100 more plants in the shape of pandas or other creatures. Public relations and diplomacy are other factors that have proved to be successful in. Action like this is what makes China on track to its the Paris accord commitments.

Note: Below image is an artist?s rendition.

Works Cited:

Arrieta-Kenna, Ruairí. "China Just Built a Solar Power Array That Looks like a Panda." Vox. Vox, 08 July 2017. Web. 11 July 2017. <https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/7/8/15934884/china-panda-solar-power>.

Ausick, Paul. "China Replaces US as Largest Producer of Renewable Energy."247wallst.com. N.p., 11 July 2017. Web. 11 July 2017. <http://247wallst.com/energy-economy/2017/07/10/china-replaces-us-as-largest-producer-of-renewable-energy/>.

Haro, Alexander. "China Built a 248-Acre Solar Power Plant Shaped Like a Giant Panda." The Inertia. N.p., 10 July 2017. Web. 11 July 2017. <http://www.theinertia.com/environment/china-built-a-248-acre-solar-power-plant-shaped-like-a-giant-panda/>.