The project — built on a former coal-mining site in Datong, Shanxi province — is part of a national advanced PV technology demonstration base.

The pilot site is being developed under the National Energy Administration’s (NEA) "top runner" (or front runner) programme, which is designed to raise technological standards in the Chinese solar industry.

Up to 3GW of solar capacity will eventually be built at the technology demonstration site in Datong under the NEA, United Photovoltaics said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange.