On the Yunnan Plateau, a new landscape is taking shape: deep blue photovoltaic panels, arranged like neat terraces, quietly blanket the tea mountains. Beneath the panels, tea plants bask in filtered light; above, that light is silently converted into green electricity. This harmonious scene is the result of a carefully designed "symbiotic experiment" by Yingli Solar, exploring the relationship between light and land, industry and ecology.
Symbiosis with Nature: When PV Panels Become "New Leaves" in the Ecosystem
In the tea-PV complementary projects in Xishuangbanna and Fengqing County's Xueshan Town, Yunnan, the design of the PV power station for the first time incorporated the principles of agricultural production. The tilt angle, spacing, and ground clearance of the modules were all precisely calculated. This design not only increased the power station's generation capacity but also significantly improved the yield and quality of the tea beneath the panels by protecting it from direct sun scorch and frost damage. This fundamentally changes the traditionally oppositional relationship between PV land use and agricultural land use, allowing the same plot of land to achieve a double harvest. Here, Yingli Solar proves that advanced PV technology can seamlessly integrate into the original ecological cycle, achieving a symbiotic win-win where "both above and below the panels, there are gains."
Symbiosis with Industry: Green Electricity Drives a New Cycle for the Regional Economy
Yingli Solar's "symbiotic experiment" extends far beyond integration with primary industries. On the high-altitude pastures of Maizhokunggar and Dagze District in Lhasa, sturdy PV structures provide shelter for livestock, while the construction and operation of the power stations bring stable employment, tax revenue, and rental income to the local communities. The green electricity not only feeds into the grid but can also be consumed locally, injecting clean momentum into regional development.
From the tea mountains of Yunnan to the pastures of Tibet, Yingli Solar's solutions act as a bridge, connecting globally leading green technology with the most localized industrial development needs, transforming the macro-narrative of energy transition into tangible well-being for individual communities.
Symbiosis with Extremes: Forging the Answer to Reliability in Harsh Environments.
True symbiotic capability is reflected in harmonious coexistence with the most severe environments. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at altitudes of 4,800 to 5,200 meters and known as the "Third Pole of the Earth," presents the ultimate test for PV equipment with its thin air, intense ultraviolet radiation, and rapidly changing weather. The "High-Altitude Solution" customized by Yingli Solar for ultra-high-altitude projects in Tibet is a concentrated embodiment of its technical prowess. For strong UV, there are special anti-aging encapsulation materials; for extreme winds, there are reinforced structures and installation solutions validated by wind tunnel tests; to ensure electrical safety, there are upgraded anti-arcing and insulation designs; and even for the complex, rugged mountain access roads, innovative special packaging and flexible logistics scheduling were developed. When letters of thanks poured in from clients, the praise was not only for the timely delivery of products but also for that reassuring promise of ensuring the long-term stable operation of power stations even in these "no-go zones for life."
Over a course of more than twenty-seven years, Yingli Solar has evolved from a pioneer in PV technology into a "symbiotic system" dedicated to creating multiple values. Yingli Solar will continue to deepen this "symbiotic experiment," ensuring that every ray of sunlight can not only light bulbs but also nourish the land, empower industries, and illuminate the future, contributing China's wisdom of light to a more resilient and sustainable world.
