A Sino-German joint venture recently announced a solar boiler for industrial use, as the development of solar power gains momentum in coal-dependent China, amid the rising doubts about nuclear safety.

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Ma Yingchang, deputy general manager of Linuo Paragigma New Energy Co Ltd, which is located in East China's Shandong province, said that the system, with an investment of 120 million yuan ($18.4 million), alone can save up to 1,100 tons of coal and reduce carbon emissions by 2,600 tons annually.

The boiler first heats water through solar energy from 15 to 95 degrees Celsius, then is heated to 150 degrees by coal, which produces steam for papermaking, food and chemical industries.