A: The per capita utilization of electricity in Tibet is far lower than the national average. The region lacks coal, and it is therefore impossible to develop thermal power. The existing large and medium-sized hydroelectricity stations only generate enough electricity to satisfy the needs of Tibet's dense urban population, while farmers and herdsmen scattered in remote mountain areas must manage without. However, with its dry climate, thin air, negligible cloud, and annual 3,000 hours of sunshine, Tibet is especially suitable for developing solar energy.
Tibet began to develop solar energy in the 1980s. By transforming solar energy into heat and electricity, a large number of farmers and herdsmen living in remote mountain areas now enjoy the convenience of electricity, and no longer need to use butter lamps for light, or dried yak dung and firewood for cooking fuel. Moreover, hey can also enjoy the convenience of all kinds of household electric appliances. Today, the development and utilization of solar energy in Tibet ranks top nationwide.
In 1981, Tibet established its solar energy research institute, with the aim of developing and utilizing solar energy. Since the 1990s, Tibet has built 7 large scale solar power stations at the county level and a number of smaller stations subsidized by the central government. The total installed capacity of the region's photoelectric facilities has now reached a level of over 2,000 kilowatts. It constructed a solar water heater of 85,000 square meter capacity (calculated according to the surface area of equipment that absorbs light), k91,000 solar stoves and a large number of solar greenhouses. The installed capacity of the largest solar power station in Tibet is 100 kilowatts. The price of the smaller solar power stations is between 1,200 yuan and 1,800 yuan each-enough to fuel two energy-saving light bulbs and a small TV set. This small-scale equipment is especially suitable for the independent use of households that are not ostensibly part of a community.
In recent years, Tibet has also completed dozens of key scientific research programs concerning the utilization and development of solar energy at state and autonomous region levels. The "Tibetan solar energy resource comprehensive development and utilization" program was awarded a second national Spark Prize, and the "solar energy metal phase transformation heat accumulator" was awarded the third national invention prize.
In drafting the Tenth Five- Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, Tibet Autonomous Region suggested that the development of solar energy and photoelectric undertakings should be given high priority as a means to supplying electricity to farmers and herdsmen. As a new, regenerative, clean, and environmentally friendly energy source, solar energy has a broad scope for further development in Tibet.