World’s highest-altitude solar station with 100 MW capacity powers up in Tibet

Station to tackle power shortages

China Huadian invested $127.8 million in the project, according to the corporation. The plant is capable of generating 247 million kWh of electricity annually, though no further details were provided. Previously, the world’s highest utility-scale solar-plus-storage project was another facility located in Tibet, completed in 2020 at 4,700 meters.

The second phase of the Caipeng Solar-Storage Power Station, covering 1.4 square kilometers, adds 100 MW of capacity. This builds on the initial 50 MW phase launched in December 2023, which has already generated over 60 GW. Combined, the two phases aim to address central Tibet’s seasonal power shortages during winter and spring. 

Construction of the second 100 MW phase began in August 2024. By utilizing pre-installed mounts and on-site assembly lines, PowerChina, the project contractor, completed the project in just 115 days—42 days ahead of schedule. These methods increased construction efficiency by 40% despite the challenging plateau environment.

The project incorporates n-type bifacial tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) panels, which deliver higher conversion efficiency and harness the region’s high snow reflectivity for improved power generation.

Storage tech boosts efficiency

The project has a total capacity of 150 MW, featuring 170,000 solar panels and a 20 MW/80 MW energy storage system. This setup is designed to supply 80,000 kWh of electricity for up to four hours after dark, helping to address central Tibet’s power shortages.

The 20 MW/80 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) from Sungrow features advanced “stem cell storage technology”, enabling ultra-fast voltage and frequency regulation as well as grid stabilization. With features like liquid cooling and AI thermal management, the system improves safety and discharge performance by over 8%.

PowerChina states that the project utilizes bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules, which are up to 7.5% more efficient than conventional panels. These advanced modules capture reflected sunlight from the ground, significantly enhancing energy generation. As a result, they boost overall efficiency by 20% compared to traditional single-sided solar panels, enabling greater energy output and maximizing the potential of available sunlight. 

The bifacial technology not only improves performance under normal conditions but also takes advantage of snow and other reflective surfaces, particularly in high-altitude environments like Tibet, where sunlight can be more intense.

The development also follows PowerChina’s acquisition of 1GW of modules for a floating solar project in China, as the company seeks to expand its portfolio into new environments.