China set to become world’s leader in solar power

By NewsGram Staff Writer

China is set to become world's leader in solar power. The country has almost tripled the number of solar cells which were previously installed in the Gobi desert region. Images taken by NASA satellites show this rapid increase in the number of solar cells installed in order to reduce emissions and switch to greener energy.

The image shows how much land in Gobi desert was covered by solar panels in October 15, 2012.

The following image shows how much land is covered by solar panels in the Gobi desert now.

The move by China is a part of its move to meet its ambitious pledge made at the UN, to cut carbon emissions. On Tuesday, China said that it would reduce its heat trapping emissions within 15 years and that it aims to boost its share of renewable energy use to 20 percent by 2030. China's move also shows how it is rapidly turning into world's largest solar power as it produces almost two-thirds of all solar panels produced in the world.

Last year, it increased its solar capacity more than any other country in the world as is revealed by International Energy Agency. Though Germany has the most cumulative photovoltaic capacity, China comes in as a close second.

In 2014, the IEA says, China boosted its capacity from solar panels by 37 percent to reach a total capacity of 28.1 gigawatts. And in 2015, during the first quarter of 2014, China claims to have added another five gigawatts of solar capacity.