China's expressways are undergoing a significant green transformation as clean energy facilities become increasingly prevalent.
Along the highway connecting Taiyuan and Xinzhou in Shanxi Province, a stunning array of photovoltaic (PV) panels adorn the slopes and rooftops, while electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now a common sight in service areas and at toll booths.
\"Ten years ago, EV charging piles in highway service areas were rare, but now they're almost standard,\" said Liu Xia, who was charging her EV at the highway. She added that the expanding charging infrastructure makes long-distance travel more convenient. \"We no longer need to worry about long queues to charge during holidays and weekends.\"
The highway's PV system became fully operational last November and was recognized as a national-level smart PV demonstration project by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology this year.
\"The project effectively harnesses idle land and structures through distributed solar energy generation, ensuring a stable electricity supply while mitigating carbon emissions,\" explained Chen Jianwen, the project manager. He noted that the initiative also serves as a model for clean energy utilization on highways.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
