The installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Shanxi province had hit 5.9 million kW by the end of 2017, accounting for 7.3 percent of the province's total installed power capacity, and coming in at two percentage points higher than the national average, according to Shanxi Solar Energy Association.

Among the total installed PV capacity, capacity of PV stations for poverty alleviation amounted to 784,000 kW, accounting for 13.6 percent of the total.

Shanxi is aiming to add around 11 million kW of solar power capacity during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) and reach 12 million kW by the end of 2020. Meanwhile, the province will improve management standards for PV development and encourage PV projects on barren mountains and hills, as well as in developed areas.

Eight cities in the province, such as Shuozhou, Lyuliang, Jinzhong and Taiyuan, plan to develop 11-million-kW PV bases in local subsidence areas caused by coal mining, which cover more than 3,333 square kilometers.

Also, Shanxi will further the work of poverty alleviation supported by the PV industry. The province will help undeveloped areas in Lyuliang Mountains and Taihang Mountains out of financial difficulties when piloting PV projects in Linfen and Datong cities.