Canadian Solar to build 500 MW project in China
The news makes Canadian Solar the latest Chinese solar manufacturer to unveil plans for a large solar power project in China since the country last month launched a long-awaited plan to offer subsidies for the industry.
As the world's top greenhouse gas polluter, China is trying to catch up in a global race to find alternatives to fossil fuels, and many believe it will become a major market for solar power.
Since China announced its subsidy plan, domestic solar power companies including LDK Solar Co Ltd, Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd, and ReneSola Ltd have announced plans to develop big solar power plants in China.
Canadian Solar said it signed a letter of intent with the administration committee of the Baotou National Rare Earth Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (CPT).
The plant will be located in CPT, which is in Inner Mongolia, and the project will be divided into three phases, Canadian Solar said.
A total of 100 MW of the photovoltaic system will be installed in the first phase, which will run from September 2009 to December 2011. About 200 MW each will be installed in the second and third phases, the company said.
The project is subject to a feasibility study and government approvals, the company said.
Related News

Buyer's Remorse: Questions about grid modernization affordability
WASHINGTON - Utilities’ pursuit of a modern grid to maintain the reliability and safety pillars of electricity delivery has raised a lot of questions about the third pillar — affordability.
Utilities are seeing rising penetrations of emerging technologies like distributed solar, behind-the-meter battery storage, and electric vehicles. These new distributed energy resources (DER) do not eliminate utilities' need to keep distribution systems safe and reliable.
But the need for modern tools to manage DER imposes costs on utilities that some regulators, lawmakers and policymakers are concerned could drive up electricity rates.
The result is an increasing number of legislative and regulatory grid modernization…