Inner Mongolia cuts water use in solar sector

Cities of Ordos, Baotou employ purification projects to push autonomous region to become leader in renewable energy

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

A state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has developed an innovative solution to minimize water consumption in China's rapidly expanding solar panel industry.

While the use of water in making solar panels is not as intense as in some other industries, this wastewater recycling solution further reduces the water footprint of solar panel manufacturing.