Solar power lights up golden years for 203 seniors in Chifeng's village

In Fukang New Village, a rural community in Linxi county, Chifeng city of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, rows of rooftop solar panels glint in the spring sun, powering a quiet transformation in the lives of its elderly residents.

Home to more than 200 villagers – over 70 percent of whom are aged 60 and above – the community has become a model of how reliable electricity and clean energy can transform rural senior living. For many seniors here, the change is most tangible indoors, where steady electric heating has replaced coal-fired stoves.

"Winter used to mean smoke, soot, and sleepless nights tending the fire," said 70-year-old resident Lyu Haiqing, adjusting a thermostat set to a comfortable 27 C. "Now it's clean, warm, and easy. Life feels much better."

Behind this shift is the sustained effort of State Grid Linxi County Power Supply Company, which has steadily upgraded local power infrastructure to meet the village's growing energy needs.

Since 2019, the company has invested in grid improvements, including installing a 400-kilovolt-ampere transformer and new transmission lines to ensure a stable electricity supply across the village.

It also supported the deployment of a 315.15-kilowatt distributed photovoltaic system, enabling households to generate their own electricity while feeding surplus power back into the grid.

As demand grew, further upgrades followed. In 2025, the company expanded transformer capacity to support a full transition from coal to electric heating.

Earlier this year, an additional investment funded the installation of an energy storage system, creating an integrated "solar-storage-consumption" model that stores locally generated power and uses it more efficiently.

The results are both practical and economic. Since February, the system has generated nearly 40,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, with a projected annual output of 290,000 kWh. Combined with energy storage savings, the system is expected to bring annual economic benefits of around 86,000 yuan ($12,463) to the village.

More importantly, it has delivered uninterrupted heating and stable voltage throughout the winter – crucial for improving comfort for elderly residents.

"The biggest difference is reliability," said a village official. "There's no more worry about power shortages or heating cuts."

The environmental benefits are also significant. The solar installation is expected to save more than 34 metric tons of standard coal each year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 90 tons.

Beyond infrastructure, service has played a crucial role. Power company staff regularly visit the village to conduct maintenance checks, handle repairs, and provide on-site consultations through a community-based service point.

Chen Zhao, the project manager, said, "By integrating solar generation, storage, and smart management, we are building a cleaner, more efficient rural energy system that supports both daily life and long-term development."