The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China has emerged as a national leader in renewable energy adoption through its innovative rooftop solar program, transforming ordinary households into clean power producers. With approximately 3,000 annual sunlight hours—among China’s highest solar exposure rates—Ningxia has created an economic model where residents generate income by selling surplus electricity back to the national grid.
This pioneering initiative has reached significant scale in Tongxin County, where grid-connected distributed photovoltaic systems have achieved an installed capacity of 125.62 megawatts as of December. These installations collectively generate approximately 226 million kilowatt-hours annually, sufficient to power around 90,000 Chinese households for a full year. The program has generated roughly 40 million yuan ($5.7 million) in annual power sales revenue for local participants.
According to Tongxin Party Secretary Chen Hua, the project delivers dual benefits of environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation. ‘Residents now wake each morning hoping to see sunshine,’ Chen noted. ‘When the sun shines, income flows directly into their households.’
The economic impact is exemplified by farmer Ma Zhanhai from Yuhai township, who invested 200,000 yuan in rooftop panels. With an annual generation capacity of approximately 150,000 kWh, Ma is projected to recover his initial investment within five years and continue earning profits throughout the system’s expected 25-year operational lifespan. This program represents a significant advancement in China’s renewable energy strategy while simultaneously addressing rural economic development goals.