Distributed power facilities most common in more developed areas

Rooftop solar installations are likely to play a more important role in cutting carbon emissions in China, as the government has been ramping up its push for distributed solar facilities nationwide, setting out a rooftop photovoltaic mandate as part of a wider vision to make renewable energy a key cornerstone of the country"s path to a green economy.

In response to a document released by the National Energy Administration in late June, which called for a selection of counties to be nominated for a trial program to promote rooftop solar pilot projects, 25 provincial-level regions nationwide have come up with detailed pilot programs so far, and most of which are economically developed regions.

In designated areas, a minimum of 20 percent of all residential rooftops will be equipped with solar installations, per the trial program, which mandates at least 30 percent for commercial and industrial structures, 40 percent for facilities such as schools, hospitals and village committees, and 50 percent for government estates, said the administration.

Experts believe the initiative is expected to make rooftop photovoltaic installations more readily available in rural areas while further facilitating China"s targets of reaching a carbon dioxide emissions peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.