Seaver Wang
@wang-seaver.bsky.social
Director, Climate and Energy at the Breakthrough Institute. 王思維. He/him. Oceanographer turned solution seeker. Ecomodernism is the way. PhD in Earth and Ocean Sciences.
Meanwhile Germany only has one PV farm above 200MWdc, though it's a big one--Witznitz in Saxony is completing an expansion to 650 MWdc and is sited atop remediated land from the “Witznitz II” lignite coal mine.
It is actually Europe's largest solar PV farm.
51.1727, 12.4024
It is actually Europe's largest solar PV farm.
51.1727, 12.4024
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Meanwhile Germany only has one PV farm above 200MWdc, though it's a big one--Witznitz in Saxony is completing an expansion to 650 MWdc and is sited atop remediated land from the “Witznitz II” lignite coal mine.
It is actually Europe's largest solar PV farm.
51.1727, 12.4024
It is actually Europe's largest solar PV farm.
51.1727, 12.4024
Japan does have one 400MWdc project under construction on the small island of Ukujima west of Sasebo, which will become the country's new largest PV farm once completed.
@globalenergymon.bsky.social doesn't list any other planned projects >200MW. There are two projects >150MW in progress.
@globalenergymon.bsky.social doesn't list any other planned projects >200MW. There are two projects >150MW in progress.
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Japan does have one 400MWdc project under construction on the small island of Ukujima west of Sasebo, which will become the country's new largest PV farm once completed.
@globalenergymon.bsky.social doesn't list any other planned projects >200MW. There are two projects >150MW in progress.
@globalenergymon.bsky.social doesn't list any other planned projects >200MW. There are two projects >150MW in progress.
Japan's next largest solar farm is Setouchi Kirei Mega Solar, at 235 MWdc, built on a plot of flat coastal land east of Okayama.
34.6430, 134.1590
34.6430, 134.1590
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Japan's next largest solar farm is Setouchi Kirei Mega Solar, at 235 MWdc, built on a plot of flat coastal land east of Okayama.
34.6430, 134.1590
34.6430, 134.1590
An interesting observation: Japan + Germany are about tied for the 4th + 5th most solar PV capacity globally at ~91+GWdc each, but Japan only has two PV farms >200MW and Germany only one. Relatively few superlarge deployments.
Land-abundant countries have it easier I guess. 🧵
Land-abundant countries have it easier I guess. 🧵
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
An interesting observation: Japan + Germany are about tied for the 4th + 5th most solar PV capacity globally at ~91+GWdc each, but Japan only has two PV farms >200MW and Germany only one. Relatively few superlarge deployments.
Land-abundant countries have it easier I guess. 🧵
Land-abundant countries have it easier I guess. 🧵
(I only noticed the airport project because I was scanning the local area for the copper smelter my dad interned at while attending college in the early 1980s. Daye Nonferrous Metals in Huangshi, Hubei. Founded 1953. Top pic is from 2003, bottom pic is from 2023.)
November 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
(I only noticed the airport project because I was scanning the local area for the copper smelter my dad interned at while attending college in the early 1980s. Daye Nonferrous Metals in Huangshi, Hubei. Founded 1953. Top pic is from 2003, bottom pic is from 2023.)
Some travel vlog propaganda slop as a bonus.
No, America won’t compete with this, because our social contract is structurally different and frankly, deep down, I don't think we really have any serious desire to change that. "Permitting reform" doesn't even come close.
No, America won’t compete with this, because our social contract is structurally different and frankly, deep down, I don't think we really have any serious desire to change that. "Permitting reform" doesn't even come close.
November 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Some travel vlog propaganda slop as a bonus.
No, America won’t compete with this, because our social contract is structurally different and frankly, deep down, I don't think we really have any serious desire to change that. "Permitting reform" doesn't even come close.
No, America won’t compete with this, because our social contract is structurally different and frankly, deep down, I don't think we really have any serious desire to change that. "Permitting reform" doesn't even come close.
"Wetlands? Who needs those?"
For all the China infrastructure simping on here among ex-China climate/enviro folks, y’all don’t have the guts to actually copy it.
Ezhou Huahu ('flower lake') Int’l Airport, "China's 1st cargo-focused int’l airport" east of Wuhan.
30.331, 115.036
For all the China infrastructure simping on here among ex-China climate/enviro folks, y’all don’t have the guts to actually copy it.
Ezhou Huahu ('flower lake') Int’l Airport, "China's 1st cargo-focused int’l airport" east of Wuhan.
30.331, 115.036
November 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"Wetlands? Who needs those?"
For all the China infrastructure simping on here among ex-China climate/enviro folks, y’all don’t have the guts to actually copy it.
Ezhou Huahu ('flower lake') Int’l Airport, "China's 1st cargo-focused int’l airport" east of Wuhan.
30.331, 115.036
For all the China infrastructure simping on here among ex-China climate/enviro folks, y’all don’t have the guts to actually copy it.
Ezhou Huahu ('flower lake') Int’l Airport, "China's 1st cargo-focused int’l airport" east of Wuhan.
30.331, 115.036
This morning's quick research dive: as best as I can tell, large reservoir hydroelectric dams require on average ~5x the concrete per GW of generation capacity that nuclear does.
The variation among dams is also remarkable. Baihetan and Xiluodu relatively efficient.
The variation among dams is also remarkable. Baihetan and Xiluodu relatively efficient.
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This morning's quick research dive: as best as I can tell, large reservoir hydroelectric dams require on average ~5x the concrete per GW of generation capacity that nuclear does.
The variation among dams is also remarkable. Baihetan and Xiluodu relatively efficient.
The variation among dams is also remarkable. Baihetan and Xiluodu relatively efficient.
"China builds the world's biggest energy projects" with a twist. Unless Chinese firms have started selling them abroad, I believe China is the only country operating the world’s largest 270000 cubic m LNG storage tanks, now built at a few new terminal phases all <2 yrs old.
November 21, 2025 at 1:49 AM
"China builds the world's biggest energy projects" with a twist. Unless Chinese firms have started selling them abroad, I believe China is the only country operating the world’s largest 270000 cubic m LNG storage tanks, now built at a few new terminal phases all <2 yrs old.
Crystalline silicon solar doesn't use cadmium. None. Zero. This myth arose from confusion over different solar techs 15 yrs ago but won't die.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
November 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Crystalline silicon solar doesn't use cadmium. None. Zero. This myth arose from confusion over different solar techs 15 yrs ago but won't die.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
I don't suppose anyone is aware of a database or resource that records the brand and model of solar PV modules used in specific big utility-scale solar installations?
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
November 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I don't suppose anyone is aware of a database or resource that records the brand and model of solar PV modules used in specific big utility-scale solar installations?
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
This installation is located on this part of the river. (Google Earth imagery is from 2023 so it doesn’t show the floating solar yet, but that itself is testament to how quickly the facility was completed—construction began in 2024).
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
This installation is located on this part of the river. (Google Earth imagery is from 2023 so it doesn’t show the floating solar yet, but that itself is testament to how quickly the facility was completed—construction began in 2024).
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
Korea is flexing here with this highly artistic floating solar farm, newly commissioned days ago.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Korea is flexing here with this highly artistic floating solar farm, newly commissioned days ago.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
Chatting with many international peers in recent months (Taiwan/JPN/Indonesia/range of EU) and many feel geothermal is desirable as an idea but see their domestic potential as limited to a few 100s of MW/maybe a GW...
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
November 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Chatting with many international peers in recent months (Taiwan/JPN/Indonesia/range of EU) and many feel geothermal is desirable as an idea but see their domestic potential as limited to a few 100s of MW/maybe a GW...
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
A fair number of Americans now in their 30s and working in clean energy and sustainability can trace their journey back to the @350.org movement at some point. Perhaps the pipeline that mattered most was the talent pipeline, after all.
November 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
A fair number of Americans now in their 30s and working in clean energy and sustainability can trace their journey back to the @350.org movement at some point. Perhaps the pipeline that mattered most was the talent pipeline, after all.
We happen to have some satellite images for office decor (not my idea actually!)
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
We happen to have some satellite images for office decor (not my idea actually!)
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
It is also notable that combusting all life on Earth's surface = the same CO2 ppm as the unrealistic-worst-case-not-happening RCP8.5 scenario where humanity burns most known coal reserves: ~900ppm in 2100, with room to climb more. This does speak to the volume of coal out there.
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
It is also notable that combusting all life on Earth's surface = the same CO2 ppm as the unrealistic-worst-case-not-happening RCP8.5 scenario where humanity burns most known coal reserves: ~900ppm in 2100, with room to climb more. This does speak to the volume of coal out there.
All of this makes for a fascinating case of how quickly large industrial facilities can rise + fall in China. Outside of China new smelter projects are typically depreciated over 30 yrs and cost 4x higher CAPEX, so building something + demolishing it in 3 yrs is just wild. (END)
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
All of this makes for a fascinating case of how quickly large industrial facilities can rise + fall in China. Outside of China new smelter projects are typically depreciated over 30 yrs and cost 4x higher CAPEX, so building something + demolishing it in 3 yrs is just wild. (END)
Weiqiao owns nearly all the coal units in this industrial part of Zouping, plus 2.6GW of coal capacity just offscreen east, so such coal unit/policy reshufflings have constrained their local power supply, likely informing the decision to shut down phase 1 and look to Yunnan.
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Weiqiao owns nearly all the coal units in this industrial part of Zouping, plus 2.6GW of coal capacity just offscreen east, so such coal unit/policy reshufflings have constrained their local power supply, likely informing the decision to shut down phase 1 and look to Yunnan.
Some new local captive coal construction was also halted, with a large plant of 8x660 MW ultra-supercritical coal units only seemingly having gotten permission to complete/operate 6 units, leaving two unfinished.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Some new local captive coal construction was also halted, with a large plant of 8x660 MW ultra-supercritical coal units only seemingly having gotten permission to complete/operate 6 units, leaving two unfinished.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
Other context is that tightening regulations on coal plants have put some pressure on older, less efficient units to close, like these captive units at Weiqiao's co-located alumina refinery (converts bauxite to alumina, the preceding step to aluminum smelting).
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Other context is that tightening regulations on coal plants have put some pressure on older, less efficient units to close, like these captive units at Weiqiao's co-located alumina refinery (converts bauxite to alumina, the preceding step to aluminum smelting).
Interestingly, the facility above that Weiqiao chose to decommission was actually phase 1 of two phases built, and the second phase of 6 potlines of about 1 million tons/yr capacity seems to have continued to operate since.
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Interestingly, the facility above that Weiqiao chose to decommission was actually phase 1 of two phases built, and the second phase of 6 potlines of about 1 million tons/yr capacity seems to have continued to operate since.
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
Remarkable how cavalier China's industrial ecosystem can be with large capital projects.
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Remarkable how cavalier China's industrial ecosystem can be with large capital projects.
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
Countries with unique supply chain and nuclear energy policy circumstances will particularly benefit from greater flexibility to internally move, repackage, reprocess, or alter nuclear materials with appropriate safeguards and oversight.
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Countries with unique supply chain and nuclear energy policy circumstances will particularly benefit from greater flexibility to internally move, repackage, reprocess, or alter nuclear materials with appropriate safeguards and oversight.
- Coordinate uranium supply chain efforts with allies (maintain and strengthen Russian uranium bans, cooperate on uranium exploration and enrichment, minimize trade barriers between allies)
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
- Coordinate uranium supply chain efforts with allies (maintain and strengthen Russian uranium bans, cooperate on uranium exploration and enrichment, minimize trade barriers between allies)