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Distributed solar photovoltaic development potential and a roadmap at the city level in China

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  • Wang, Yu
  • He, Jijiang
  • Chen, Wenying

Abstract

China has the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) market, and its cumulative PV installation capacity reached more than 200 GW in 2019. However, a large gap remains to achieve the ambitious target of 1200 GW of wind and solar power installation capacity by 2030. Are there sufficient solar resources, and where should the PV modules be installed? There are no clear answers to these questions. This paper aims to identify the availability and feasibility of developing distributed solar PV (DSPV) systems in China's cities. The results show that China has many DSPV resources, but they are unevenly distributed. The potential for DSPV systems is greatest in eastern and southern China, areas of relatively low solar radiation. Furthermore, the difference in the potential of DSPV development among cities requires targeted policies for different geographical areas. Similarly, the difference in DSPV generation to satisfy the electricity demand in various sectors requires political and industrial efforts to address the mismatch between solar PV power generation capacity, electricity demand, and solar radiation in different regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Yu & He, Jijiang & Chen, Wenying, 2021. "Distributed solar photovoltaic development potential and a roadmap at the city level in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:141:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121000678
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.110772
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    3. Furszyfer Del Rio, Dylan D. & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Foley, Aoife M. & Griffiths, Steve & Bazilian, Morgan & Kim, Jinsoo & Rooney, David, 2022. "Decarbonizing the glass industry: A critical and systematic review of developments, sociotechnical systems and policy options," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Fuquan Zhao & Fanlong Bai & Xinglong Liu & Zongwei Liu, 2022. "A Review on Renewable Energy Transition under China’s Carbon Neutrality Target," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-27, November.
    5. Zhixin Zhang & Min Chen & Teng Zhong & Rui Zhu & Zhen Qian & Fan Zhang & Yue Yang & Kai Zhang & Paolo Santi & Kaicun Wang & Yingxia Pu & Lixin Tian & Guonian Lü & Jinyue Yan, 2023. "Carbon mitigation potential afforded by rooftop photovoltaic in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Wang, Yunjie & Yang, Huihan & Chen, Haifei & Yu, Bendong & Zhang, Haohua & Zou, Rui & Ren, Shaoyang, 2023. "A review: The development of crucial solar systems and corresponding cooling technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    7. Mao, Hongzhi & Chen, Xie & Luo, Yongqiang & Deng, Jie & Tian, Zhiyong & Yu, Jinghua & Xiao, Yimin & Fan, Jianhua, 2023. "Advances and prospects on estimating solar photovoltaic installation capacity and potential based on satellite and aerial images," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    8. Zhang, Alex Hongliang & Sirin, Selahattin Murat & Fan, Conglai & Bu, Maoliang, 2022. "An analysis of the factors driving utility-scale solar PV investments in China: How effective was the feed-in tariff policy?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    9. Jiehui Yuan & Wenli Yuan & Juan Yuan & Zhihong Liu & Jia Liao & Xunmin Ou, 2023. "Policy Recommendations for Distributed Solar PV Aiming for a Carbon-Neutral Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
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