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The role of roadside solar photovoltaic systems in achieving global carbon neutrality: Assessing capacity, economic feasibility, and carbon reduction potential

Author

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  • Chen, Hong-Ju
  • Yang, Min
  • Wang, Jian-Qiang
  • He, QingShan
  • Wei, TianFeng

Abstract

In response to global warming, governments focus on green energy and redesigning energy systems for carbon neutrality and sustainable growth. This study evaluates the potential of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems along global road networks (RN) as a transformative energy option. The total capacity of these systems could reach 16.01 TW when installed horizontally and 10.9 TW at an optimal tilt, with corresponding lifecycle electricity generation potentials of 5.63 × 105 TWh and 4.48 × 105 TWh, respectively. These systems' average return on investment (ROI) is 7.47 % at optimal tilt and 6.53 % when installed horizontally. For the top 28 electricity-generating countries to fully replace fossil fuels with PV systems along their road networks, some nations like Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and India would require installation widths exceeding 3000 m. This study identifies key factors influencing roadside PV deployment, including investment cost, solar irradiance, electricity prices, system efficiency, and module performance. If fossil fuel power generation in these 28 countries were fully replaced by roadside PV systems, total CO2 emissions could be reduced by approximately 1.11 × 1010 t. An integrated assessment framework is proposed, encompassing geographic suitability, installation capacity, power generation potential, economic feasibility, and carbon reduction, enabling a global-scale quantitative evaluation of roadside PV system deployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Hong-Ju & Yang, Min & Wang, Jian-Qiang & He, QingShan & Wei, TianFeng, 2025. "The role of roadside solar photovoltaic systems in achieving global carbon neutrality: Assessing capacity, economic feasibility, and carbon reduction potential," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:339:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225046808
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139038
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