In an effort to advocate for renewable energy, companies in China have come together to build the world's first panda-shaped power plant.

(China Merchants New Energy)

At a Glance

The plant is part of the Panda 100 Program, which seeks to build more solar farms over the next five years. At full capacity, the plants will generate an amount of energy equivalent to reducing 2.74 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.They are also part of an initiative to get China's youth engaged in learning about renewable energy.

China has taken renewable energy to adorable new levels by building the world’s first solar power plant shaped like a panda.

The plant was built in Datong Shanxi as part of , according to a release from the China Merchants New Energy. It is the first panda plant built as part of the program launched by the company and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to build multiple plants.

The “panda” covers 248 acres and has “fur” made out of black monocrystalline silicone and grey and white thin film solar cells, according to the release.

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Connected to the electrical grid on June 29, , but when it reaches full capacity it will produce as much as 100 megawatts, which can provide 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of energy in 25 years, according to a release from the Panda Green Energy Group.This is equivalent to reducing 2.74 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions or saving 1.056 million tons of coal.

Over the next five years, more plants will be built as part of the Panda 100 Program,which plans to build similar plants along the "Belt and Road"countries and areas, according to the Panda Green Energy Group.

Belt and Road refers to the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road,” which from Asia to Europe, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

The plants are also part of a program to engage China’s youth.

“Young people will have the opportunity to learn, share knowledge, and experience the steps of an intense innovation process,” UNDP states in the release. “The camp will offer participants a deeper understanding of green energies and first-hand experience of environmental protection, with top notch mentors and facilitators in the field to monitor and provide on-site support.”

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