In recent months, China has been working to ramp up its commitment to renewable and alternative energy sources, which has immediately made the nation become rather competitive in manufacturing things like hybrid and electric vehicles, clean coal technology, and solar power. However, that doesn’t mean that China has become a one-nation powerhouse in creating new technologies, and proven by the fact that the nation just entered into a deal with an American solar power firm to build the world’s biggest photovoltaic power plant. Says the New York Times about the agreement concerning the 2,000 megawatt plant,

The memorandum of understanding between Chinese officials and First Solar, the world’s largest photovoltaic cell manufacturer, would open a potentially vast solar market in China and follows the Chinese government’s recent moves to accelerate development of renewable energy. When completed, the Ordos solar farm would generate enough electricity to power about three million Chinese homes, according to First Solar.

Photovoltaic cells are becoming cheaper than solar thermal technology (or, at least more cost-competitive), and also can get up and running faster, and have fewer environmental impacts. As of now, however, money has not entered the discussion. First Solar claims that in the states, this project would cost $5 to $6 billion, but will be cheaper to build in China. The project, as well, won’t be completed for 10 years, and in that time, China will have to figure out 1) how to actually get this thing built, and 2) distribute the power. However, for a country that refuses to be pinned down on carbon emissions, it’s nice to see that China is at least unilaterally doing some things to be more environmentally-conscious.

photo credit: steve vithak’s flickr photostream/Creative Commons