Just weeks after China implemented a nationwide ban on free plastic bags, Yunnan province is once again putting itself at the forefront of the country's environmental movement – this time with a total ban on production, sales and use of plastic bags across the province next year.

According to a Xinhua report, the ban will begin January 1, 2009 and will cover plastic bags of all thicknesses, as opposed to the current national ban on plastic bags thinner than 0.025 millimeters. The report said that throughout Yunnan, 'truly environment-friendly shopping bags' will be provided free or for a fee to customers at supermarkets, department stores, shopping outlets, hotels, restaurants and other venues.

Prior to the nationwide ban on free plastic bags that went into effect on June 1 of this year, Yunnan had already earned a reputation for being one of China's most environmentally conscious provinces with plastic bag bans in the popular travel destinations of Shangri-la (Zhongdian) and Lijiang.

In Shangri-la and Lijiang, local residents quickly adapted to not using plastic bags, switching to reusable, biodegradable bags after experimenting with newspaper and woven baskets.

In addition to addressing the problem of 'white pollution' – the plastic and polystyrene pollution that can be found throughout China – Yunnan is also emerging as one of the more progressive provinces in terms of developing solar energy resources.

Both the cities of Shilin and Dali will soon boast some of China's – and Asia's – largest solar power projects, and Kunming, where half the city's residents use solar energy to heat their water, was named China's 'Solar City' by the Worldwatch Institute.

The Kunming municipal government is also reportedly considering developing the city into a production base for degradable plastic bags.

Image: hb.newssc.org

Related articles:

Free plastic bags banned across China

China's larges solar power station to be built in Shilin

Dali to build large-scale solar power base

Solar-powered trip around the world stops in Kunming

Tags: Dali, environment, Lijiang, plastic bags, Shangri-la, solar power

The small city of Shilin (石林), located about 70 kilometers southeast of Kunming, is primarily known for being home to the Stone Forest, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China's most famous examples of Karst landscape. In addition to rapidly building up its tourism infrastructure, the city is also preparing to become a leader in China's alternative energy revolution.

Last week Yunnan Power Investment New Energy Development Company announced that it will be the main investor in a Shilin-based solar energy photovoltaic power station which will be China's largest upon completion. Total initial investment in the station is expected to reach 3.7 billion (US$536 million).

The solar energy base will feature an installed generation capacity of 66 megawatts and will cover an area of 173 hectares. It will be connected to the provincial power grid for consumption by Yunnan residents and businesses. Construction on the facility will begin in October of this year and is projected to be completed in 2009.

Yunnan's high altitude, bright sun and clear skies make it one of the ideal locations for solar power facilities, which are being promoted by China's central government.

In October 2007 the government of Dali prefecture announced that it would cooperate with Yuanchang High Technology Group to build a US$500 million solar base, the largest non-crystal silicon thin-film solar cell power project in Asia.

In June 2007, Kunming was named China's 'Solar City' by the Worldwatch Institute - mainly based upon the prevalence of solar-powered water heaters throughout the city. It is estimated that half of the city's population uses solar water heaters.

Yunnan Normal University in Kunming is also home to the Solar Energy Research Instititute, which was founded in 1971 and plays an important role in China's solar technology research and development.

Image: tianshannet.com

Related articles:

Solar-powered trip around the world stops in Kunming

Kunming named China's 'Solar City'

Dali to build large-scale solar power base

Yunnan to add 30 solar power plants

Tags: alternative energy, Dali, environment, Shilin, Solar Energy Research Institute, solar power, Stone Forest, UNESCO World Heritage List, Yunnan Normal University

Last week an agreement was signed by the Dali government and Yuanchang High Technology Group to cooperate on a US$500 million solar project that upon completion will be the largest non-crystal silicon thin-film solar cell power project in Asia, according to local media reports.

Upon completion of a 40-megawatt power station in the project's first phase, the station is expected to generate annual revenue of US$80 million and tax revenue of up to US$40.9 million. Once the entire project is completed it is projected to generate US$240 million in annual revenue and US$122.7 million in tax revenue.

Tags: Dali, environment, solar power, Yuanchang High Technology Group

Kunming has some of the sunniest skies found in any Chinese city. Many visitors to the Spring City wonder why with so many beautiful days each year there aren't more rooftop gardens, cafes or restaurants. One major reason for this is the overwhelming number of Kunming rooftops that are covered with solar water heaters.

A new report by the Worldwatch Institute has declared Kunming to be China's "Solar City", primarily because of the prominence of solar water heaters in the city. The report estimates that more than half of the city uses solar energy to heat its water.

Solar-heated water can be found throughout the city, generally in buildings of 10 stories or lower. Most of the city's newer high-rise apartment buildings and some of the newer high-end residential developments in the city's southwest do not offer solar-heated water.

According to the article, around 30 million households throughout China have solar water heaters - nearly eight percent of those households being located in Kunming. Solar water heaters are becoming increasingly common in other parts of the country because of the growing availability and affordability of solar technology.

Kunming is emerging as a city at the front of China's solar industry - and not just as an end user. Yunnan Normal University is home to the Solar Energy Research Instititute, which was founded in 1971 and is playing an increasingly important role in solar technology research and development.

In recent years the Institute has cooperated with the Ford Foundation via the foundation's Pathways to Higher Education program to expand research, development and use of solar technology throughout Yunnan. The Institute even offers free testing services for Chinese solar companies seeking certification for their products, essentially helping to expedite new products and technologies to the market.

The central government in Beijing is also funding the construction of 30 solar power plants in Yunnan, working through Yunnan Normal's Institute. With a greater number of sunny days than the majority of other Chinese cities, the facilities and manpower at YNU's Solar Energy Research Instititute and a desire by the national and provincial government for cleaner energy alternatives, Kunming is moving toward becoming an alternative energy leader for cities around China and the world.

Tags: environment, solar power, Worldwatch Institute

State-owned Guangming Company of China recently formed a partnership with German government aid group Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau to build 30 solar energy plants in Yunnan Province. The facilities will generate up to 300 clean kilowatts, enough power for 900 to 1,500 homes.

Dr Xie Jian

The central government tasked an advisory panel from the Solar Energy Research Institute of Yunnan Normal University with the project's success. Dr Xie Jian, deputy director of the Institute, was selected as chairman.

Dr Xie has worked with the Japanese, American, and German energy ministries during his 30-year tenure. He often lectures on the market viability of clean energy while on the conference circuit, invoking Kunming's reputation abroad as the Solar City.

"It's a bit more expensive, but people in Kunming want to use clean energy; they think it's a good choice," Dr Xie told GoKunming. "As the technology becomes more efficient, it will be used by businesses as well."

About half of the provincial capital's households heat their water with solar power, he said.

Beijing's financing of the international project may indicate that public funds, one possible catalyst for the broad application of solar energy, will be available for similar projects in the future.

Tags: environment, solar power, Xie Jian, Yunnan Normal University