Baotou包头
Tier 3 - Medium CityThe "World Green Silicon Capital." Baotou has rapidly emerged as China's largest polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon production base, with >40% of national capacity. Leveraging Inner Mongolia's cheap green power and silicon ore resources, 70+ PV enterprises produce 79万吨 polysilicon and 253GW monocrystalline silicon annually.
GDP
$56B
2024
Population
2.74M
residents
GDP per Capita
$20K
1.6x national avg
Industry Output
¥151B
2 frontier sectors
History & Context
Baotou was historically known as China's "Steel City" and "Rare Earth Capital," built around Baogang Steel and the Bayan Obo rare earth mine. The PV transformation began in 2016 when the first polysilicon company established operations. Triple-digit growth from 2020-2022 (99.8%, 224.6%, 169.1%) propelled Baotou to become the first Chinese city with >100B yuan PV industry output in 2022. The "World Green Silicon Capital" title was awarded in 2023, and the Hohhot-Baotou-Ordos silicon and PV cluster received National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster designation in 2024. Baotou's competitive advantage lies in abundant silicon ore resources and some of China's cheapest green power from wind and solar installations across Inner Mongolia's vast grasslands.
Industrial Development Timeline
PV industry begins
First polysilicon company established in Baotou, marking the beginning of the PV industry transformation.
Triple-digit growth
PV industry begins three consecutive years of triple-digit growth (99.8%, 224.6%, 169.1%).
100B yuan milestone
Baotou becomes first city in China with >100B yuan PV industry output.
"World Green Silicon Capital"
"World Green Silicon Capital" title awarded by Global Green Energy Council; China Silicon Industry Conference held in Baotou.
National cluster designation
Hohhot-Baotou-Ordos Silicon New Materials and PV Manufacturing designated National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster. PV output 100.75B yuan (+26.1%).
Key Facts
"World Green Silicon Capital" title awarded by Global Green Energy Council (2023)
Polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon capacity >40% of national total
PV industry output
100.75 billion yuan (2024, +26.1%)
Hohhot-Baotou-Ordos cluster designated National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster (2024)
70+ PV enterprises including Tongwei, Daqo, Hongyuan, JA Solar
Manufacturing Sectors
New Energy (Solar, Hydrogen)
新能源
Polysilicon, monocrystalline silicon, PV cells and modules — "World Green Silicon Capital"
Advanced Materials
新材料
Silicon-based new materials, semiconductor silicon, organic silicon
Industrial Parks & Zones
Major development zones and high-tech parks in Baotou
Major Companies
Tongwei (Baotou)
内蒙古通威高纯晶硅
Tongwei's Phase III 200,000 tons polysilicon base in Baotou. 100% material recycling; 8th generation "Yongxiang Method." Among China's largest polysilicon producers.
Founded 2020
Daqo New Energy (Baotou)
内蒙古大全新能源
Daqo's Phase II 100,000 tons polysilicon and 1,000 tons semiconductor silicon production base. 30.5万吨 total capacity (2024). Listed on STAR Market.
Founded 2021
Hongyuan Green Energy (Baotou)
弘元新材料（包头）
75GW monocrystalline silicon and 45GW slicing capacity. Set fastest construction-to-production record in China (3 months). First large-scale slicing project in Inner Mongolia.
Founded 2021
JA Solar (Baotou)
包头晶澳太阳能
JA Solar's 11th domestic base: 20GW monocrystalline silicon + 20GW slicing (all operational). Major contributor to Baotou's PV manufacturing capacity.
Founded 2022