China's Gobi Solar Plant Operates Nightly for 8 Hours Without Batteries
China's Hami hybrid solar project in Xinjiang demonstrates the ability to provide electricity eight hours post-sunset using molten salt. This marks a significant advancement in reliable nighttime solar energy generation without traditional battery systems.
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The Hami hybrid solar project in China's Gobi Desert, developed by China Three Gorges Corporation, can deliver power for up to eight hours after sunset without batteries. This 1-gigawatt facility combines 900 megawatts of solar panels with a 100-megawatt concentrated solar power system utilizing molten salt for thermal storage.
It is expected to generate 2.07 terawatt-hours annually, supplying electricity to approximately 830,000 households. The integration of 260,000 tracking mirrors enables efficient energy capture and storage, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuel plants and stabilizing electricity prices.
Analysts caution that while this innovation shows promise, the cost-effectiveness and long-term performance of such technologies against batteries remain to be fully validated. The project could prevent about 1.8 million U.S. tons of CO2 emissions annually.
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