China is planning to install around 17.8GW of solar projects this year, in a move to combat its air pollution problems.
The proposed projects will add almost 2 1/2 times as much capacity as the US added last year, reported Bloomberg.
However, the National Energy Administration (NEA) anticipated that around 15GW of solar capacity will be added, the news agency reported citing a person familiar with the matter.
Commenting on the proposal, Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association analyst said: "This reflects China’s stronger efforts to reduce emissions."
The country’s aim of reducing carbon emissions may attract around $3.4bn of additional investment to solar projects compared with the earlier plan, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates.
China’s northern province of Hebei with the highest amount of air pollution is expected to secure around 1.2GW of solar projects this year, according to NEA.
Provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Qinghai and Ningxia will each have 1GW of solar installations.
NEA has called local departments in 26 regions to submit plans for proposed solar projects by April-end.
As per the figures released by the National Development and Reform Commission in November, China aims to increase its solar power capacity to 100GW by 2020.