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Assessing the sustainable development potential of rooftop agrivoltaics: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Qunyue
  • Chen, Taoyu
  • Zhang, Ni
  • Lin, Zhiqian
  • Ye, Zubin
  • Jiang, Kunneng
  • Gao, Yaling
  • Guo, Yourui
  • Weng, Aifang

Abstract

Rooftop agrivoltaics (RAV) integrate clean energy and food production, addressing "zero food miles" while contributing to urban sustainability. This study proposes a multidisciplinary framework to quantify RAV's sustainable development potential and assess its contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the Yangtze River Delta, RAV spans 10,720 km2, generating 9.307 × 1010 kWh of electricity annually (6.3 % of the region's demand), producing 4.358 × 107 tons of lettuce (meeting the nutritional needs of 871,567 people), creating 23.36 million jobs, and reducing 1.268 × 108 t CO2 emissions (offsetting 7.47 % of annual emissions). The associated environmental benefits amount to 874.6 billion CNY per year. By 2030, under urban expansion and energy transition scenarios, electricity output could rise to 1.04 × 1011 kWh, carbon reduction to 2.8 × 108 t CO2, and crop yields to 4.844 × 107 tons. These findings demonstrate RAV's transformative potential for economic, environmental, and urban planning benefits, advancing sustainable urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Qunyue & Chen, Taoyu & Zhang, Ni & Lin, Zhiqian & Ye, Zubin & Jiang, Kunneng & Gao, Yaling & Guo, Yourui & Weng, Aifang, 2025. "Assessing the sustainable development potential of rooftop agrivoltaics: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:320:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225008333
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135191
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