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High resolution global spatiotemporal assessment of rooftop solar photovoltaics potential for renewable electricity generation

Author

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  • Siddharth Joshi

    (SFI MaREI Centre for Energy Climate and Marine
    Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
    School of Engineering, University College Cork)

  • Shivika Mittal

    (Grantham Institute–Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London)

  • Paul Holloway

    (Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
    University College Cork)

  • Priyadarshi Ramprasad Shukla

    (Global Centre for Environment and Energy, Ahmedabad University)

  • Brian Ó Gallachóir

    (SFI MaREI Centre for Energy Climate and Marine
    Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
    School of Engineering, University College Cork)

  • James Glynn

    (SFI MaREI Centre for Energy Climate and Marine
    Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork
    School of Engineering, University College Cork
    Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University)

Abstract

Rooftop solar photovoltaics currently account for 40% of the global solar photovoltaics installed capacity and one-fourth of the total renewable capacity additions in 2018. Yet, only limited information is available on its global potential and associated costs at a high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we present a high-resolution global assessment of rooftop solar photovoltaics potential using big data, machine learning and geospatial analysis. We analyse 130 million km2 of global land surface area to demarcate 0.2 million km2 of rooftop area, which together represent 27 PWh yr−1 of electricity generation potential for costs between 40–280 $ MWh−1. Out of this, 10 PWh yr−1 can be realised below 100 $ MWh−1. The global potential is predominantly spread between Asia (47%), North America (20%) and Europe (13%). The cost of attaining the potential is lowest in India (66 $ MWh−1) and China (68 $ MWh−1), with USA (238 $ MWh−1) and UK (251 $ MWh−1) representing some of the costliest countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Siddharth Joshi & Shivika Mittal & Paul Holloway & Priyadarshi Ramprasad Shukla & Brian Ó Gallachóir & James Glynn, 2021. "High resolution global spatiotemporal assessment of rooftop solar photovoltaics potential for renewable electricity generation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-25720-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25720-2
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