Solar Heating Project in Geji County Ali Region

In Tibet’s Ali Region (average altitude >4,800m), severe cold persists year-round—annual average temperature <0℃, winter lows down to -30℃, and daily temperature difference >20℃. For three towns’ government offices in Geji County, winter heating is vital for staff work and uninterrupted grassroots services. Previously, heating relied on coal-fired boilers (costly, hard-to-transport coal; frequent winter shortages) and electric heaters (tight hydropower in dry seasons; high costs), with annual CO₂ emissions over 200 tons harming the plateau ecology. Now, a 52,000㎡ solar heating project brings clean, stable warmth, setting a replicable model for high-altitude energy transformation.

I. Project Background: Dilemmas and Opportunities

Geji County (central Ali) has a plateau subfrigid arid climate but abundant solar resources—3,200+ annual sunshine hours and 6,000 MJ/㎡ solar radiation, ranking among China’s richest. To solve "difficult heating, high costs, poor ecology," Geji County partnered with new energy firms. After 6+ months of surveys and demos, it launched the 52,000㎡ project, covering offices, service centers, and dormitories to end coal dependence.

II. Technical Solution: High-Altitude-Adapted "Solar +" System

Tailored to Ali’s low temps, strong winds, and high radiation, the project uses a "flat-plate collectors + heat storage tanks + electric auxiliary" system instead of plain-area models.

Heat Collection: 1,200 cold-resistant flat-plate collectors (2,400㎡ total) are installed on building rooftops and yards. With tempered glass and low-temp coatings, they work at -35℃ and resist level-12 winds. Connected into 10 independent units, they ensure partial faults don’t affect overall heating.

Heat Storage: 6 pressure-bearing 50m³ tanks (polyurethane insulation, stainless steel liners) limit 24h water temp drop to <5℃. Daytime excess heat is stored; night/cloudy heat is released to keep indoor temps 18-22℃, matching Ali’s "strong day sunshine, cold nights."

Auxiliary Heating: Off-peak electric heating is added for bad weather. Local power offers 0.3 yuan/kWh (22:00-6:00). It auto-starts when tank temp <45℃, avoiding interruptions and cutting costs. An intelligent system lets staff monitor temps/operation via APP for unmanned management.

III. Implementation Highlights: Ecology and Livelihood

The project follows "minimize ecology impact, maximize livelihood benefits."

Ecology-Friendly Construction: Modular pre-installation (collectors/tanks assembled in factories) cuts on-site work to 45 days (from 3 months) and avoids damaging plateau vegetation.

Livelihood-Centric Design: Dormitories have room-by-room temp control to boost comfort and reduce waste. Service centers use floor heating, keeping halls >15℃ at -25℃ for herders.

IV. Triple Benefits

Since launch, the project has transformed heating, delivering economic, ecological, and social gains.

Economic Benefits: Annual coal cost savings (≈600,000 yuan) and electric heating costs (<80,000 yuan/year, 50% less than before). Over 20 years, total savings exceed 12 million yuan, with a 6-year payback, easing town finance burdens.

Ecological Benefits: Annual reductions: 180 tons CO₂, 5.6 tons SO₂ (equal to 10,000 trees). Less coal transport cuts diesel use by 15 tons/year, reducing traffic pollution.

Social Benefits: Stable heating boosts service efficiency—no winter work interruptions, year-round service centers. Warm dorms improve cadre retention. A 5-year local cadre said: "No more down jackets in offices; 20℃ temps lift efficiency and belonging."

V. Long-Term Significance: The "Geji Model"

The project proves high-altitude areas can turn "severe cold disadvantage" into "clean advantage" via tech adaptation.

Geji plans to extend the model to schools and hospitals. Future links with local PV stations will build a "solar thermal + PV" system, bringing clean warmth to more plateau residents.

As a "sunlight spark," the project lights high-altitude green development, offering a replicable "Chinese solution" for global high-altitude energy transformation.