China's rapid economic growth in the past decades left many scars on land. Coal mining has destroyed around ten billion square meters. In recent years, many places have started to build solar projects on these areas, to generate green energy and improve the environment. CGTN's Hu Chao visited one such project to find out how it makes a change.

These millions of solar panels are a common sight in the outskirts of Yangquan City in north China's Shanxi Province. No one would have guessed these areas used to be sinking lands, destroyed and made useless by coal mining. Today, twenty million square meters of such lands in the city have been turned into solar power plants.

HU CHAO YANGQUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "Years of mining have caused serious subsidence and environmental destruction to the land. Right now, it's near impossible to restore the environment here, as that will require huge investment which the local government cannot afford. Building up solar projects over these areas now seems to be the best way to make use of the abandoned land."

But it isn't just solar panel installations. Companies are required by the local government to plant trees and grass in the area.

CAO CHUNLEI, GENERAL MANAGER, YANGQUAN SOLAR PROJECT, SHANXI ZHANGZE ELECTRICITY CO. "Our company doesn't just run solar projects here, but also helps to improve the environment. We've planted some grass within the area. Next, after our plan is confirmed by the local forest bureau, we'll plant trees in the surrounding areas."

The city of Yangquan has been relying heavily on coal production and mining. And as that slowly runs out, the city decided to shift its energy sources from black to green.

FENG WEIMING DIRECTOR, YANGQUAN DEVELOPMENT & REFORM COMMISSION "The municipal government has always been emphasizing environment protection. We require a 3,000 yuan deposit from every solar power company to ensure environment improvements. And we've been supervising their work progress closely." 

It's been a year since these solar projects started. Now the city's share of clean energy has increased from 5% to 30%. The local government says more of such projects will be created in the future, and that will help to save 430-thousand tons of coal each year and reduce millions of tons in emissions. Yangquan is one of many places in China which set up solar projects on destroyed land. Some companies have even gone one step further to combine these projects with other activities such as fish farming, or greenhouse farming. Hu Chao, CGTN, Yangquan, Shanxi Province.