Panda power! Is this the world’s cutest solar plant?

The Panda Power Plant will be able to provide 3.2 billion kWh of green electricity in 25 years, equivalent to saving 1.056 million tonnes of coal, or reducing 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Visually, the plant is designed and built as the image of the Chinese national treasure - the giant panda. The black part is made of monocrystalline solar cells while the grey part is made of the thin film cells and N-type bifacial dual-glazed modules.

The colour difference contrast in these kinds of solar cell panels generates an obvious black and white effect, hence from a bird’s eye view the whole power plant resembles a giant panda.

In the next five years, Panda Green Energy will carry out its ‘Panda 100 Program’, which involves building more panda-themed solar plants throughout China.

The programme also hopes to promote youth engagement and innovation, in order to endorse future sustainable development.

At the completion ceremony, held at the Beijing offices of the United Nations, Zhu Ming, General Director of New Energy Department of NEA fully recognised the development of Panda Power Plants. He said: "Chinese government fully supports new energy and renewable energy development, and firmly implement green Low-carbon and sustainable development.

“Taken as the China’s image and name card, Panda Power Plant is representing the belief of protecting the world's endangered animals, harmony, peace and smile, as well as the future development of new energy industry.

“All these ideas are synergised to boost the world's renewable energy industry and environmental protection. We appreciated Panda Green Energy and the United Nations Development Programme’s work in promoting the renewable energy and new energy. "