(Yicai Global) Oct. 10 -- China's Ministry of Land and Resources has reiterated its stance on locations of new solar power plants in the country. Development of the facilities remains strictly prohibited in areas where such projects are banned by national laws and regulations, Chen Guoqing, deputy director of the ministry's Land Use Management Division said at a press briefing today.

Photovoltaic power generation projects must also comply with environmental construction and management requirements, he added. Unused land should be used for new projects rather than farming or arable land.

The law also does not allow permanent solar plants, in any form, to occupy basic farmland.

Regarding the management of farmland and unused land used for photovoltaic power generation projects, no installations apart from the pile foundation are allowed to damage any of a field's plowing layers, he added.

Local energy departments remain responsible for clearing away solar projects that are unable to be connected to the power grid. The land must then be restored to its original form, and those who violate these requirements will not only face punishment but also be added to an energy sector blacklist.