Partially funded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), an international center for the promotion and transfer of solar energy is set for development commencing in the spring of 2006 in Lanzhou, the capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.
   
The center will be established on the basis of the existing Natural Energy Institute of Gansu, and UNIDO will provide up to US$300,000 as supplemental startup capital, explained Xi Wenhua, who serves dual positions as vice president of the Gansu Provincial Academy of Sciences, and as head of the Natural Energy Institute.
   
The Chinese Government will input 150 million yuan (about US$18.5 million) to cover the cost of land acquisition plus expenses required for the construction of a headquarters for the new center, said Xi.
   
Throughout China there are more than 3,000 firms engaged in the production of solar energy converters. By late 2004, Chinese firms had generated 500,000-megawatt photovoltaic units.
   
The Natural Energy Institute of Gansu has developed more than 130 solar energy technology applications in its 30-year history. It has also established an information network for the exchange of solar energy technology, conducted relevant cooperation with organizations from more than 90 nations, and supported the training of approximately 500 solar energy technicians and managerial personnel for 76 developing countries.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2005)