Panda Green Energy completes first panda-shaped PV power plant

June 29, 2017
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Plans were unveiled at the 2016 G20 Energy summit in 2016.

China-based renewable energy developer and owner Panda Green Energy Group (PGEG), formerly United Photovoltaics said it had completed and grid-connected the first panda-shaped PV power plant in Datong County, Shanxi Province, China.

The 50MW plant also includes a youth activity centre dedicated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promoting youth participation in sustainable development. PGEG has teamed with UNDP to build panda-shaped PV power plant in China and other parts of world, notably the ancient network of trade routes by sea and overland from China to Europe, such as the Silk Road.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

This first panda-shaped PV power plant is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the reduction of approximately 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission each year.

Sadly, actual pictures of the plant (at time of posting) were not available on PGEG’s website, due it being upgraded and amended due to the recent name change. 

Panda Green Energy Group real view of Panda-shaped PV Power Plant July, 2017

The creative idea of building Panda Power Plant was first proposed by a Chinese high school student studying in the US. Panda Green Energy formally announced the creative project in May 2016, and signed a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Development Program in September, then launched the world’s first Panda Power Plant in Datong on November 20. 

Panda Green Energy established the “New Energy Dream Team”, cooperated with a number of world-renowned solar energy companies including Huawei, Jolywood New Energy, LONGI New Energy, Sungrow, First Solar, SunPower etc… Moreover, Panda Power Plant integrated the world's most advanced technology and equipment. Solar panels of the project consist of the world's first N-type double-sided power generation panels, highly efficient single crystal silicon panels and CdTe thin film solar panels by First Solar.

Read Next

Premium
December 9, 2025
Rooftop solar PV generated nearly twice the output of utility-scale solar throughout November 2025, maintaining a 1.9:1 ratio in Australia.
December 9, 2025
Indian solar PV manufacturer Waaree Energies has signed a 288MWp solar module supply deal with US project developer Sabanci Renewables.
Sponsored
December 9, 2025
Tongwei used its Global Partner Summit to show how high-efficiency PV, digital manufacturing and biodiversity protection must advance together.
December 9, 2025
German renewables developer Blue Elephant Energy has signed two long-term power purchase agreements (PPA) with the German railway network operator Deutsche Bahn for utility-scale solar power projects.
December 8, 2025
Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec has signed equity deals for a massive solar-plus-storage project in Egypt and begun operations at a site in South Africa.
December 8, 2025
Proper training and adherence to best field practices are necessary to halt the steady trend of PV connector failures resulting from poor workmanship, write Brian Mills and Grayson Maurer.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
December 17, 2025
2pm GMT / 3pm CET
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA