Working in photovoltaics, I ended up in "prison"! Developing photovoltaics, I ended up in a "graveyard"!

In 2024, the photovoltaic industry experienced a sharp downturn, plummeting from its peak. Component prices were halved, falling from 1.8 yuan/W to 0.65 yuan/W or even lower, instantly evaporating two-thirds of the profit margin. Furthermore, red alerts for capacity shortages were frequently issued across the country, affecting as many as 450 counties and cities, severely restricting project development. The problem of "sufficient installation but insufficient absorption" became increasingly severe, plunging the entire photovoltaic industry chain into a deep freeze.

As 2025 began, the combined impact of the "430" and "531" policies triggered another massive shock to the industry, catching many photovoltaic professionals off guard. A "rush to install" ensued. Domestic competition was fierce, leading many companies to seek overseas opportunities, hoping to explore new markets by "sailing overseas." However, on April 2, 2025, [Trump] announced a major policy imposing "reciprocal tariffs" on numerous countries and regions, including the EU, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, India, South Korea, Thailand, Switzerland, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. With the existing Section 301 tariffs and the newly added tariffs, the combined tariffs on Chinese photovoltaic products exported to the United States reached a staggering... 104%！

Photovoltaic professionals are truly suffering! Restricted domestically and facing barriers abroad, they are surrounded on all sides and find themselves in a difficult position. However, the indomitable photovoltaic professionals, known for their diligence and perseverance, have made survival in adversity and breaking through limitations their survival instinct.

During my Qingming Festival visit home, I discussed with several industry veterans, and their innovative spirit is truly astonishing. They have even conceived of "photovoltaic + prison" and "photovoltaic + cemetery" models. While these combinations sound absurd and even possess a touch of "magical realism," after careful consideration, one must admire their rigorous logic and precise resource assessment—their ability to "break new ground" is truly remarkable! Let's analyze this (If you find this helpful, please follow, like, and share with friends who need it. Please comment on any inaccuracies).

 

I. "Photovoltaics + Prison": Energy Breakthrough in Confined Spaces

Prisons are a unique type of public building. As symbols of the penal system, they represent the nation's legal culture. While most avoid them, photovoltaic developers see them as sites with inherent advantages: according to official data, there are approximately 680 prisons and 2767 detention centers nationwide.

1. Stable electricity demand, no absorption issues

Prisons are 24/7 electricity consumers, with continuous operation of lighting, security equipment, kitchens, water heaters, surveillance systems, and "prison enterprises" (the "sewing machine" joke often refers to prison enterprises) highly reliant on electricity. Their load is stable and long-term, making them highly suitable for self-generation and self-consumption photovoltaic systems.
 

Huchang Prison, Anhui Province

2. Abundant rooftop resources, unified property management

Prisons are typically managed by the government or judicial system. They have extensive rooftop areas, standardized structures, are suitable for large-scale component deployment, and have centralized approval processes, significantly reducing communication and coordination costs. Furthermore, if key procedures are streamlined for one project, it can be replicated for similar facilities within the same area.

3. Fast project implementation, promising return on investment

Take a prison project in Jiangsu Province as an example. A 1MW photovoltaic system was installed on the rooftops of office buildings and dormitories, with an annual power generation of approximately 1 million kWh. The project uses a "self-generation and self-consumption, surplus power grid connection" model, saving approximately 600,000 yuan annually on electricity costs, with a payback period of less than 6 years, demonstrating significant economic benefits.

Additionally, there is an innovative "photovoltaic + labor reform" model where some institutions involve inmates in basic construction and maintenance, achieving integrated development of technology, education, and production, injecting new energy into social stability.

The South African prison where Mandela was imprisoned

4. Successful case studies

Guan Zhong Prison in Shaanxi Province has a distributed photovoltaic power station with a total rooftop area of approximately 16,840.59 square meters and an installed capacity of approximately 1.5MW. The usable area outside the prison is 4,344.66 square meters, and the constructible area inside the prison is 12,495.53 square meters, with a total installed capacity of approximately 1.15MW, including 913.68KW from a photovoltaic carport. The first year's grid-connected power generation was 2.6 million kWh. The average annual power generation over the 25-year operating period is 2.3399 million kWh.

II. "Photovoltaics + Cemetery": The Energy Starting Point at Life's End

Traditionally, cemeteries are considered "sleeping land," the final resting place. However, "tomb and light complementation" offers a new perspective, re-evaluating the value and potential of this land. It cleverly combines cemeteries and photovoltaic power stations, transforming seemingly unusable land into "sustainable energy ecological assets."

1. Extensive ground space, high green coverage

Cemeteries are often located on the city outskirts, with large tracts of idle land and green spaces, low land utilization rates, and low sensitivity to surface disturbances. Moreover, their locations often adhere to south-facing principles for sufficient sunlight, aligning with photovoltaic power station site selection. Typically, land ownership is for 50-70 years. These conditions are exceptionally favorable, of course, from a rational analysis perspective.

Photovoltaic Cemetery in a Spanish Town

2. No electromagnetically sensitive groups, minimal electromagnetic safety concerns

Unlike schools, hospitals, and residential areas with high electromagnetic environmental requirements, cemeteries have virtually no risk of "resident complaints," making them ideal "undisturbed locations" for photovoltaic power station development. Of course, this requires open-mindedness and a change in mindset. Superstitions regarding "feng shui" and disturbing ancestors could pose a significant challenge, perhaps the biggest obstacle in the practical implementation of this project.

3. Significant potential for collaboration with public service institutions

Some funeral management units have already partnered with local state-owned enterprises. For example, a large cemetery project in Shandong has built a 600kW distributed photovoltaic system, with an annual power generation exceeding 650,000 kWh. This provides stable power for all power loads in the park (elevators, refrigeration, lightning protection, security, etc.), and the surplus electricity can also be sold to the grid, further expanding the profit margins.

In addition, the concept of a "green ecological cemetery" is also being implemented, integrating clean energy with low-carbon funeral practices to form an innovative public cultural expression of "life tribute + green energy."

Long Island Cemetery New York Photovoltaic Power Station

Three, You laugh at photovoltaic people for being crazy, but in fact, we are just "more involved"!

At the coldest time in the industry, many people chose to lie flat and withdraw, but photovoltaic people chose to drill into cracks, climb rooftops, enter walls, and even enter cemeteries. As long as there is light and it can be installed, they can survive.

Today's "prison photovoltaic" and "cemetery photovoltaic" projects may be a unique breakthrough in a time of despair, but after technological maturity and stable policies, these representative projects will become an important part of "all-scenario energy supply."

The cold winter will eventually pass, and sunlight will always be there.

"Working in photovoltaics, working in prison" is not a joke, but a true portrayal of finding a way to survive under heavy pressure.

"Developing photovoltaics, developing in cemeteries" is not black humor, but a determined posture of breaking boundaries when forced to.

This is precisely the unyielding spirit of Chinese photovoltaic people—they are hardworking, adaptable, and determined to survive, able to find gold even in the sand.

As long as there is sunlight and even a small piece of land, we will not stop.