Tengger Desert Solar Park

The Tengger Desert Solar Park spans approximately 43 square miles (111 square kilometers) in the desert and uses more than 1.8 million solar panels to generate electricity with a capacity of around 1,500 megawatts.

Construction began in 2010 as part of China's strategy to expand renewable energy and reduce coal dependency, with the facility becoming fully operational by 2017 through multiple development phases.

The solar park is located in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, an area with a diverse population including Hui Muslim communities whose traditions and heritage have shaped the cultural landscape of the region.

Access to the site is via Zhongwei city along the H26R+RJ5 road in Shapotou District, though public tours are generally not available and the facility is best viewed through aerial photography or satellite images.

Engineers faced significant challenges during construction due to extreme desert temperatures and limited water supplies, requiring specialized cooling techniques and construction methods adapted to harsh desert conditions.