Hefei authorities are expanding the distribution of solar power panels in Hefei, Anhui province, part of their efforts to tackle rural poverty, after the successful implementation of a yearlong pilot program.

About 100 households have already benefited since the beginning of the pilot program in July of last year, while 200 more will be fitted by the end of October. The program allows households not only to generate energy but also an income.

One beneficiary of the program is Meng Fansheng, now in his 60s, a rural resident of Yangmiao township, Changfeng county.