China to double solar-power capacity by 2015

China is seeking to expand its solar-power capacity to 10 gigawatts by 2015, a government official said, as part of its efforts to expand the use of alternative energy sources.

Li Junfeng, deputy director of the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that China will double its installed solar photovoltaics target to 10 gigawatts of capacity by 2015 from its original plan of 5 gigawatts, according to yonhapnews.

Driven by commodity prices and concerns over air pollution, China has been aggressively investing in the renewable energy sector.

According to the U.S.-based non-profit organization Pew Charitable Trusts, China's investments in renewable energy in 2009 exceeded those made by the United States for the first time.

In 2010, China attracted a record US$54.4 billion in clean energy investments, a 39 percent increase from 2009 and equal to total global investment in 2004.