One of the issues that has a significant influence on sustainable economic and social development is energy. Energy use causes climate change due to its impact on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions. This is a result of the convention of using oil, gas and coal which emit CO2, NOx and other poisonous substances into the air. China's national strategy is to reduce this pollution by replacing fossil fuels with alternative energies such as wind, nuclear, geothermal, hydroelectric or solar energy. (Zhen 2008). Qian and Ling say that northwestern China is an ideal place to develop solar energy, the energy used to absorb solar radiation, because there is very large access to solar heating, which is about 2000 hours per year. (Qian and Ling 1998). However, since the support from science, government and market is very limited, this causes the main difficulties in popularizing this energy. Despite the high prices, some solar energy technologies have already been installed, and after several years, decreasing costs have allowed China to reach the highest level of solar energy development in the world in 10 years. (Bullis 2010, 53). Although there are many useful and prospective features in the application of solar energy technologies, the purpose of this study is to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the impact of solar energy and the use of these technologies on the environment and on the economy in China. First, the role of solar energy in environmental, socio-economic and political issues will be discussed. Different types of solar energy technologies and their application will then be demonstrated and analyzed. Finally, the answer to the question of whether China should spread the development of... middle of paper... Renewable and low-carbon energy as climate change mitigation options for China. Climate Change 94 (2009): 169-88 (accessed 29 January 2011), doi 10.1007/s10584-009-9553-y.Ze-min, J. 2008. Reflections on energy issues in China. Journal of Shaghai Jiaotong University 13 (3): 257-74. Springer. http://www.springerlink.com/ (accessed March 4, 2011). Zhen, Y. and Z. Hongliang. 2008. Strategies for clean energy development in China. Petroleum Science 5(2): 183-88. Springer. http://www.springerlink.com/ (accessed January 29, 2011). Zhou, X. and J. Yang. 2009. A new solar thermal power plant with floating chimney stiffened into a mountainside and energy production potential in Chinese deserts. Heat Transfer Engineering 30(5):400-7. Premier of academic research. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/resultsadvanced (accessed February 3, 2011).