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Comprehensive benefit evaluation of solar PV projects based on multi-criteria decision grey relation projection method: Evidence from 5 counties in China

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  • Wang, Chaofan
  • Shuai, Jing
  • Ding, Liping
  • Lu, Yang
  • Chen, Jia

Abstract

The photovoltaic poverty alleviation program is an innovation of sustainable development strategy by the Chinese government, which aims to promote the development of renewable energy while reducing rural poverty through the systematic deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV). Nevertheless, the actual benefits of photovoltaic poverty alleviation projects (PV-PAPs) need to be verified. Yet, little research currently explored the regional differences of large-scale PV deployment. This study intends to construct a comprehensive benefit evaluation system in 4 dimensions of finance, energy, environment and society including 15 secondary indicators. The multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) grey relation projection (GRP) method and first-hand field survey data of 5 counties in China were used to evaluate the comprehensive benefit of PV-PAPs. The results show that PV-PAPs have good benefits potential with a solid demonstration effect and robust replicability. However, obvious differences were found between actual performance and theoretical design, benefits vary enormously among regions, modes, and solar resource areas. Management styles, operational and maintenance mechanisms are the main sources of regional differences. Besides, sensitive analysis show that financial benefit of PV-PAPs is relatively vulnerable to risk factors. Finally, corresponding policy recommendations are proposed to facilitate the sustainable development of PV-PAPs.

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  • Wang, Chaofan & Shuai, Jing & Ding, Liping & Lu, Yang & Chen, Jia, 2022. "Comprehensive benefit evaluation of solar PV projects based on multi-criteria decision grey relation projection method: Evidence from 5 counties in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:238:y:2022:i:pb:s0360544221019022
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121654
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    Cited by:

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    4. Gönül, Ömer & Yazar, Fatih & Duman, A. Can & Güler, Önder, 2022. "A comparative techno-economic assessment of manually adjustable tilt mechanisms and automatic solar trackers for behind-the-meter PV applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    5. Bai, Dongbei & Jain, Vipin & Tripathi, Mamta & Ali, Syed Ahtsham & Shabbir, Malik Shahzad & Mohamed, Mady A.A. & Ramos-Meza, Carlos Samuel, 2022. "Performance of biogas plant analysis and policy implications: Evidence from the commercial sources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    6. Wei Ding & Xuguang Zhao & Weigao Meng & Haichao Wang, 2022. "Smart Evaluation of Sustainability of Photovoltaic Projects in the Context of Carbon Neutrality Target," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Zhang, Zumeng & Ding, Liping & Wang, Chaofan & Dai, Qiyao & Shi, Yin & Zhao, Yujia & Zhu, Yuxuan, 2022. "Do operation and maintenance contracts help photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations perform better?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    8. Wang, Chaofan & Wang, Yilan & Zhao, Yujia & Shuai, Jing & Shuai, Chuanmin & Cheng, Xin, 2023. "Cognition process and influencing factors of rural residents' adoption willingness for solar PV poverty alleviation projects: Evidence from a mixed methodology in rural China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    9. Li, Jiaxin & Peng, Jiachao & Shuai, Chuanmin & Wang, Zihan & Huang, Fubin & Khayyam, Muhammad, 2022. "Does the solar PV program enhance the social empowerment of China's rural poor?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    10. Li, Yanjiao & Qing, Chen & Guo, Shili & Deng, Xin & Song, Jiahao & Xu, Dingde, 2023. "When my friends and relatives go solar, should I go solar too? —— Evidence from rural Sichuan province, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 753-762.
    11. Wang, Chaofan & Zhao, Yujia & Strezov, Vladimir & Shuai, Chuanmin & Cheng, Xin & Shuai, Jing, 2023. "Spatial correlation analysis of comprehensive efficiency of the photovoltaic poverty alleviation policy - Evidence from 110 counties in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    12. He, Jing & Ren, Fu & Weibel, Robert & Fu, Cheng, 2023. "The effect of large scale photovoltaic-based projects on poverty reduction: Empirical evidence from China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    13. Zhao, Yujia & Shuai, Jing & Wang, Chaofan & Shuai, Chuanmin & Cheng, Xin & Wang, Yilan & Zhang, Zumeng & Ding, Liping & Zhu, Yongguang & Zhou, Na, 2023. "Do the photovoltaic poverty alleviation programs alleviate local energy poverty? —Empirical evidence of 9 counties in rural China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).
    14. Li, Yunwei & Chen, Kui & Ding, Ruixin & Zhang, Jing & Hao, Yu, 2023. "How do photovoltaic poverty alleviation projects relieve household energy poverty? Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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