QAZAQ GREEN.  Solar-powered aquaculture is reshaping rural business models in eastern China, combining seafood production with renewable energy and delivering gains in income and environmental performance, according to IRENA.

Cheng Youhe, 55, manages a 146.7-hectare aquaculture site in Nanjing equipped with a 50-megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic system generating around 60 million kWh annually. The facility integrates floating solar panels with fish farming and serves as a demonstration zone for renewable-powered aquaculture, research and eco-tourism. Its core product is the Chinese mitten crab.

Before entering farm management, Cheng worked as a seafood broker supplying markets in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Irregular deliveries from farms and last-minute order disruptions frequently led to losses. A visit to Nantong introduced him to a company developing agriculture projects powered by renewable energy, prompting him to shift to a scalable solar-based aquaculture model.

The site uses floating PV panels mounted above ponds. In summer, they lower water temperatures by 3–5°C, reducing heat stress and preventing die-offs of aquatic plants. Annual output has reached up to 175 tons of mitten crabs.

According to project data, higher productivity has significantly raised incomes among partner farmers, with some earning more than $138,000 per year. The farm has also created local jobs and reduced reliance on coal-based energy, contributing to lower emissions and improved air quality during winter months.

China accounted for roughly 63% of global solar PV capacity expansion in 2024, and the use of solar power in productive sectors such as aquaculture is increasing as part of broader rural development efforts.