Yingli Green Energy’s downstream solar portfolio is set to grow by a further 50 MW after the solar company was chosen to develop a new solar PV plant planned for Datong City in Shanxi Province, China.

The solar PV plant is to become one of the key demonstration projects at the National Advanced PV Technology Demonstration Center, which has been constructed on reclaimed mining land in Datong City. The National Energy Administration (NEA) is intent on making the center the foremost hub for PV technology R&D in the country.

As part of Datong City’s renewables remit, the local government has tasked the center with a solar PV installation goal of 1 GW, comprising seven individual 100 MW solar parks, five 50 MW projects and a handful of additional smaller PV installations over the next 12 months.

Datong City’s administrators oversaw a bidding process whereby solar companies were invited to apply for the rights to develop the 50 MW projects. More than 20 companies applied, with Yingli Solar selected for one of the parks.

"We are pleased to be selected for this high-profile demonstration power plant," said Yingli’s VP of project development Gang Wang. "With our strong track record of success in solar PV power plant development and construction, Yingli will make an ideal partner for the new PV demonstration center. This represents a major opportunity for us to leverage our advantages in project development and financing and to promote our growing presence in China’s downstream solar market."