Changsha county started the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel agriculture project in Jiutian village, Chunhua town on June 6, which will provide clean energy, increased revenue and more jobs in the local economy.

The 200-megawatt PV project, when completed, is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 56,000 tons annually. Hailed as an innovative PV demonstration base, it will integrate with modern agriculture, garden landscaping and rural tourism, and is said to be the first of its kind in Hunan province, according to Hunan Daily.

It is estimated to generate an annual electric-power output of 76.09 million kWh (kilowatt-hour), and create revenues of more than 100 million yuan ($15.2 million) annually, as well as providing 220 jobs.

The power generated by the clean energy project over a single year will be equivalent to burning 21,300 tons of coal.

Zhang Qinghong, deputy Party chief and head of the county, said the project is key to improving modern agriculture and upgrading local power sources.

?The groundbreaking ceremony for the 200-megawatt PV solar agriculture project in Jiutian village, Chunhua town, June 6. [Photo / rednet.cn]