1. Scale Leap: From Gigawatt to Hundred‑Gigawatt

In 2024, the scale of utility-scale solar farms set new records. China added 277 GW of new utility-scale PV capacity—more than double the total cumulative utility-scale capacity in the United States (121 GW) by the end of 2024. By year‑end, China‘s cumulative utility-scale PV capacity had surpassed 880 GW.

The era of hundred‑gigawatt bases has arrived. The Kubuqi Desert “PV Great Wall” in Inner Mongolia is planned for approximately 100 GW, covering an area over 400 km long and about 5 km wide, with completion expected by 2030. This marks a shift from individual power plants to regional, base‑oriented development, making large‑scale contiguous development the dominant model.

A strong project pipeline. China currently has more than 720 GW of solar projects at various stages of development, including approximately 250 GW under construction, nearly 300 GW in advanced preparation, and 177 GW announced, laying the foundation for continued growth in the years ahead.

2. Technology Leap: From Simple Generation to System Coordination

PV‑storage integration moves from pilot to standard.

In 2024, co‑located energy storage has become a standard feature of new utility-scale plants. A 1.2 GW solar‑storage project in Texas was commissioned in September with 450 MWh of battery storage; 70% of its generation is contracted through long‑term power purchase agreements. Storage not only enables peak shaving but also provides frequency support during grid fluctuations, transforming solar farms from “intermittent generators” into “dispatchable power sources.”

1500 V systems fully adopted.

1500 V systems have become the mainstream technical architecture for large‑scale plants, significantly reducing line losses and system costs. Next‑generation power integrated modules increased inverter power ratings from 300 kW to 350 kW. For a 1 GW plant, the new modules deliver energy savings equivalent to nearly 2 MWh per hour.

Intelligent tracker penetration continues to rise.

Single‑axis trackers now exceed 40% penetration in global utility‑scale plants, reaching over 80% in high‑irradiation regions. Next‑generation tracking systems integrate weather forecasting data and AI algorithms, adding functions such as back‑tracking optimization and cloudy‑sky modes to achieve 15‑25% generation gains compared to fixed‑tilt systems.

3. Model Leap: From Simple Generation to Multi‑Energy Integration

Coal mining subsidence area: PV + ecological restoration.

A 3 GW solar plant on a coal mining subsidence area in Inner Mongolia was commissioned in November 2024, consisting of 5.9 million PV modules. The elevated mounting structure allows grazing beneath the panels while crops are planted as forage. The project uses a new rare‑earth alloy grounding material (40% cost reduction) and replaces concrete with steel foundations to minimize grassland ecological impact. Annual generation reaches 5.7 TWh, saving 1.71 million tonnes of standard coal and reducing CO₂ emissions by 4.7 million tonnes annually.

Offshore solar: PV + fisheries.

The 1 GW Dongying offshore solar project in Shandong saw its first units connected in November 2024, becoming the world‘s first gigawatt‑scale offshore solar project. The project uses large‑span steel truss fixed pile foundation technology, comprises 2,934 PV platforms, and generates 1.78 TWh annually. Supporting fish farms are expected to generate RMB 27 million in annual revenue, creating a three‑dimensional economic model of “power generation above, fish farming below.”

Desert base: PV + desert control.

The Kubuqi Desert “PV Great Wall” is planned for approximately 100 GW, deeply integrating PV generation with desert control. The PV arrays reduce surface wind speed and water evaporation, creating conditions for sand‑adapted vegetation growth, forming a new ecological restoration model of “generation above, rehabilitation below.”

4. Global Landscape: Multiple Hubs, Rising Emerging Markets

China’s dominant position continued. In 2024, China accounted for a substantial share of global utility‑scale PV additions, driven by a complete industrial chain, cost advantages, and stable policy support.

PV‑storage integration accelerated in the U.S. The 1.2 GW Texas solar‑storage project with 450 MWh of co‑located storage was commissioned in September, marking the maturation of the PV‑storage model in the U.S. market.

Emerging markets surged. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Chile, Brazil, and other countries saw record‑low solar tariffs and large‑scale project awards, driven by high irradiation, falling costs, and government renewable energy targets.

5. Outlook

Looking ahead, utility‑scale solar farms will continue to evolve in the following directions:

Deep PV‑storage integration: Battery storage will become standard for new utility‑scale plants; grid‑forming inverters will enable solar farms to provide the grid support traditionally supplied by thermal power plants.

Offshore solar scale‑up: Moving from initial demonstration projects to large‑scale development, with both floating and fixed‑foundation technologies advancing in parallel.

Dual land use: Agrivoltaics, fishery‑solar hybrids, and mining area ecological restoration will mature, achieving multiple uses of the same land.

Continuous cost reduction: High‑power modules, intelligent tracking, 1500 V architecture, and other technologies will further lower the levelized cost of electricity.