The rooftop of a public parking lot in Meilin village is festooned with PV panels. [Photo/IC]

In the golden summer sun, Melin village in eastern Hangzhou — capital of East China's Zhejiang province — glows with rows of blue photovoltaic panels that shimmer like fish scales, reflecting its role as a model of low-carbon transformation.

At the heart of the village stands the 1.27-hectare Beautiful Life Center, a sleek white hub for public services and green energy. Its rooftop solar system generates over 160,000 kilowatt-hours annually — cutting carbon emissions by about 94 metric tons.

Green electricity is available at a charging station for electric vehicles in Meilin village. [Photo/IC]

Solar panels now power not just the public buildings but also the homes of villagers. "We use clean electricity and earn from the sunlight," said local Miao Wenxiao. Over 50 households are installing rooftop solar panels, with expected earnings of 3,000 to 4,000 yuan ($417 to $556) annually.

Nearby, a solar-powered parking lot integrates charging and energy storage. With 120 kW of solar panels and 30 kW of storage, energy efficiency has doubled and electric vehicle charging costs have dropped by 15 percent.

Moving forwards, plans are for the village to more fully embrace the green sector. A smart low-carbon materials factory by Benma, a local chemical fiber spinning company, will open in 2025. It will recycle the artificial substance of polyethylene terephthalate or PET and cut 100,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Through innovation and green power, Melin village is turning sunlight into shared prosperity and making its legacy a truly sustainable one.

The low-carbon factory in Meilin village is able to generate 550 million kWh of power and reduce carbon emissions by 3,069 tons annually. [Photo/IC]