Aerial photo shows photovoltaic panels installed on rooftops in Zhuangshang village in Yuncheng, Shanxi province. [Photo by Xiao Yongjie for chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhuangshang village in Yuncheng, Shanxi province, aims to achieve carbon neutrality via a new solar power system using rooftop solar panels on people's homes that allows them to be independent from the local power grid.

The system, developed by Golden Cooperate Information & Automation Technology Co, can provide direct current (DC) power to the homes of residents, rather than converting between DC and alternating current (AC).

A staff member from Golden Cooperate Information & Automation Technology Co shows monitoring data collected from villagers' new solar power system in Zhuangshang village in Yuncheng, Shanxi province.[Photo by Xiao Yongjie for chinadaily.com.cn]

"Residents can directly use electricity that is produced from photovoltaic panels installed on their roofs without purchasing power from the grid," said Chen Wenbo, the company's president. "The system has no effect on the stability of the power grid. It is safe and can improve energy efficiency."

In 2019, the company started a pilot project, and over the past two years has installed the system in 27 households for free. After two years of testing, the system has been found to meet standards of safety, reliability and low carbon. It has received high praise from users.

A staff member from Golden Cooperate Information & Automation Technology Co examines the new solar power system in Zhuangshang village in Yuncheng, Shanxi province. [Photo by Xiao Yongjie for chinadaily.com.cn]

"In my house, electrical appliances, such as induction cookers, rice cookers and electric heaters, have replaced traditional gas stoves and coal-fired heating," said resident Chen Jiuhong. "Electric sprayers, electric mowers and other electric farm tools across the fields have replaced oil-fired farm machinery."

"I can save at least 3,000 yuan ($464) every year on charges for electricity and fuel," he said. "Plus, without any firewood or coal in the house, the environment has become cleaner and more comfortable."

The system will be widely spread through the village, helping it achieve its zero carbon goal, Chen Wenbo, the company president said.