Solar power is slowly starting to become an important source of electricity, even for the world’s largest energy consumer in the world.

On 8 August 2012 the Chinese government announced that it will increase its solar capacity target by 40%, from 15 gigawatts (GW) to 21 GW by 2015 (Reuters). This decision was greatly influenced by the falling costs of photovoltaic panels and important changes in government regulations which have consequently boosted growth in what is already the world’s number one producer in this sector.

This is an important move for a country that is still greatly dependent on coal. In fact, the increase in China’s solar capacity will raise production to over 9.5% of its total energy consumption, equal to approximately 478 million tons of standard coal. 

Let’s hope many other countries will follow the solar wave! For more information, click here.