World’s largest coal producer goes solar

With the price of coal taking a plunge over the past few years and unlikely to return to historical highs, Shenhua Group corp (Chinese state-owned energy and mining company) has diversified and invested in solar technology. Shenhua’s strategic objective is “to become a world-class clean energy provider” (Canadian Manufacturing, 2016).

An agreement has been signed between Shenhua Group and SolarReserve (USA based) to create a partnership to build 1000 megawatts of solar thermal plants in China.

Solar thermal technology can create power 24 hours a day (unlike conventional solar power). Heliostat mirrors are used to reflect solar energy towards a molten salt tower in the centre of a complex. Salt can hold its temperature for up to 10 hours, allowing plants to continue to produce energy outside of daylight hours.

Reference: http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/financing/worlds-largest-coal-producer-pivots-to-solar-with-1000-mw-agreement-167562/

Photo Credit: Futurism