China to Subsidize Solar in Pro-Environment, Anti-Poverty Push; Aims for Grid Upgrades

摘要

China's environment and antipoverty goals are behind an initiative to bring solar power to thousands of small villages around the country. The central government will help finance distributed and centralized solar photovoltaic projects in 3,500 villages in 16 provinces over the next five years, the State Council, the country's top decision-making body, announced April 5. The government will provide subsidies averaging about 3,000 yuan ($463) per family in the selected villages, which can be applied toward up to 5 kilowatts of solar power installed per family. It will also provide subsidies for centralized projects of up to 25 kilowatts. The central government will provide funds for local governments to distribute to homeowners. Centralized projects will be in rural villages connected to the grid.