Gokin Solar Powers High-Altitude Solar Development in Tibet’s Wumatang

At an altitude of 4,550 metres, Tibet’s Wumatang Town presents one of the most demanding environments for solar development. Oxygen levels are just 60% of those at lower elevations, while UV intensity is more than three times higher. Temperatures can fluctuate by as much as 40°C between day and night, with strong winds, blizzards and heavy snowfall adding to the challenging operating conditions.

Against this backdrop, Wumatang is home to a major renewable energy development comprising 400 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity and 50 MW of concentrated solar power (CSP). According to Gokin, the project includes the world’s highest-altitude parabolic trough CSP plant, demonstrating the potential for renewable energy development in an environmentally sensitive high-altitude region.

Engineering Solar for Extreme High-Altitude Conditions

Operating above 4,500 metres places significant demands on solar equipment. At Wumatang, the UV index can reach 15, while a single snowfall can accumulate more than 50 cm of snow. Mechanical structures are exposed to repeated expansion and contraction due to temperature variations, while the thin air creates additional challenges for electrical insulation.

Gokin supplied N-type TOPCon bifacial dual-glass modules for the project. According to the company, the modules are certified by TÜV Rheinland under IEC TS 63209-1:2021 and have passed uneven snow-load testing, with a maximum front static load of 5,400 Pa and a rear load of 2,400 Pa.

Harnessing High-Altitude Solar Resources

Wumatang’s abundant sunshine and clear atmosphere provide favourable conditions for solar generation. Gokin’s bifacial module design is intended to further utilise these resources, particularly during the region’s snow season.

The modules have a stated bifaciality factor of 80% ± 5%, while ground reflectance can exceed 80% during the snow season. This enables the rear side of the modules to capture reflected sunlight in addition to irradiation received by the front surface, supporting additional energy generation under high-reflectance conditions.

According to figures provided by Gokin, the project is expected to generate approximately 719 million kWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 652,300 tonnes per year.

Managing a 4,000-Kilometre Logistics Challenge

Delivering equipment to the high-altitude site presented another major challenge. Gokin managed the logistics and delivery of PV modules over a journey of nearly 4,000 km from Guangzhou’s Huadu to Dangxiong, Tibet.

The process involved detailed planning of transport routes, loading conditions and contingencies associated with the high-altitude environment to ensure the modules reached the project site on schedule.

Combining Solar Generation with Grassland Conservation

Beyond electricity generation, the Wumatang project incorporates an agrivoltaic approach. The PV panels provide shade that helps retain moisture in the soil and creates favourable conditions for pasture growth. Cattle and sheep can also graze among the PV arrays, allowing solar generation and livestock farming to coexist.

By reducing evaporation, conserving soil and supporting pasture, the project seeks to integrate renewable energy infrastructure with the surrounding grassland ecosystem. Gokin’s broader vision is that a power station should become part of the local ecosystem and economy rather than operate as an isolated industrial development.

The Wumatang project brings together high-altitude engineering, N-type TOPCon bifacial technology, large-scale clean power generation and ecological land use. For Gokin, the development demonstrates how solar technology can be deployed in challenging environments while considering ecological protection and local development—turning the company’s idea of “planting the sun” into a practical clean-energy application.