Harsh Goenka's video of China's mountains blanketed with solar panels sparks debate on 'clean energy's cleanliness'

Business mogul Harsh Goenka recently highlighted the massive scale of China's renewable infrastructure, sharing footage of mountains being covered in "sheets" of solar panels. Goenka noted that while solar at scale is the "right idea," the visual and ecological impact on natural landscapes must be considered. The video sparked a wider discussion on whether mountain-blanketing is truly sustainable, especially in regions prone to extreme snowfall or rainfall where heavy accumulation can warp panels or lead to erosion.

What are the reactions to the video?

The post drew significant engagement, with many users suggesting that solar deployment should be more integrated into existing human infrastructure. One user has commented that for starters, authorities should utilize bus stations, railway platforms, and parking lots for deployment rather than untouched nature. Other commenters highlighted the potential of India's Thar Desert, suggesting it could revolutionize solar energy more effectively than mountain ranges. Users argued that arid lands offer less eco-disruption and could even benefit from "greening" through microclimate changes under the panels, provided that waterless cleaning and smart nighttime tracking are utilized for maximum efficiency.

Check Harsh Goenka's post here:

China's renewables drive coal power into historic decline

According to a report by the China Electricity Council (CEC) and reviewed by AFP, China’s coal-fired power generation fell by nearly 2% in 2025, despite a 5% rise in total electricity demand. This marks the first time coal use has dropped while demand rose, largely because clean energy sources—including wind, solar, and biomass—accounted for 97.1% of all new electricity consumption last year. Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air noted that this is likely the first record of such a decline since 2015. China installed a record 315 gigawatts of solar power in 2025 alone, representing over 80% of all newly installed capacity, as the nation pushes toward its goal of peaking carbon emissions by 2030.

(With AFP inputs)