On January 23, the National Energy Administration (NEA) issued the "Management Measures for the Development and Construction of Distributed Solar Power" (referred to as the "Measures"), aimed at standardizing the development and management of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems and advancing their high-quality growth.
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On January 23, the National Energy Administration (NEA) issued the "Management Measures for the Development and Construction of Distributed Solar Power" (referred to as the "Measures"), aimed at standardizing the development and management of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems and advancing their high-quality growth.
The "Measures" outline comprehensive requirements across all stages of a distributed PV project’s lifecycle, covering seven key areas: General Provisions, Industry Management, Filing Management, Construction Management, Grid Connection, Operation Management, and Supplementary Provisions. These provisions address critical questions such as defining distributed PV, managing the industry, project filing procedures, construction guidelines, grid integration, and operational standards. According to Pan Huimin, Deputy Director-General of the NEA’s Department of New and Renewable Energy, the "Measures" clearly define the roles and responsibilities of regulatory bodies, investors, and grid operators. The framework establishes a cohesive, end-to-end regulatory system to support the sustainable development of distributed PV systems.
By the end of 2024, China’s installed capacity for distributed solar power reached 370 million kilowatts (kW), a remarkable 121-fold increase compared to 2013, accounting for 42% of the nation’s total PV capacity. In 2024 alone, new distributed PV installations totaled 120 million kW, representing 43% of all newly installed PV capacity that year. Distributed PV systems also generated 346.2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in 2024, comprising 41% of the country’s total PV power generation. These milestones highlight the critical role of distributed solar power in China’s energy transition, making standardized management essential for maintaining growth momentum and addressing challenges in the sector.
Pan emphasized that the development of distributed PV systems involves multiple stakeholders, diverse interests, and wide geographic distribution. To address these complexities, the revised "Measures" adhere to four guiding principles“
1. Localized Development: Ensuring distributed PV systems are developed and utilized locally.
2. People-Centric Approach: Protecting the legitimate rights of users, particularly rural households.
3. Targeted Problem-Solving: Focusing on priority issues in management and oversight.
4.Differentiated Management: Tailoring policies to suit the unique characteristics of different types of distributed PV systems.
The "Measures" set clear boundaries for management while covering all forms of distributed PV systems. This provides a foundation for targeted and differentiated management practices and supports provincial energy authorities in creating localized implementation guidelines tailored to their specific circumstances.