Given the potential multiple benefits of solar energy development, China should expedite its energy transition, gradually phasing out coal-fired power (Liu et al., 2022b) for diversified green energy sources.
China's pursuit of photovoltaic (PV) power, particularly rooftop installations, addresses energy and ecological challenges, aiming to reduce basic energy consumption by 50% by 2030. The northwest region, with its solar potential, is a focal point for distributed PV growth, which has already exceeded 50% of the energy mix by 2021.
What are the benefits of solar power generation in China?
If this is all used for solar power generation, the annual power generation can reach up to 1.55 times the electricity consumption of urban and rural residents for the whole society. Through a comprehensive evaluation of energy efficiency and economic benefits, the Chinese mainland can be divided into three types of resource areas.
Why is solar energy important in China?
It supports the achievement of China's carbon neutrality target by 2060, and offers substantial reference value for various sustainable development goals. China has vast solar energy resources, sufficient for five times the projected 2050 electricity demand using clean energy alone (Liu et al., 2022b).
China has set ambitious carbon neutrality goals and is actively developing photovoltaic (PV) energy. The construction of PV stations could have impacts on the land surface and vegetation.
Can rooftop PV help achieve China's Energy and climate goals?
The research underscores the significant role of rooftop PV in achieving China's energy and climate goals in its northwestern urban centers. In China, more than 75% of electricity is still generated using "dirty" coal, resulting in substantial emissions of NO x, CO 2, and SO 2 into the environment.
Can rooftop photovoltaics help China achieve a carbon peak?
2030 is a critical milestone for China in achieving carbon peak, and large-scale deployment of rooftop photovoltaics is one of the key measures to support this goal in response to national planning and design. Hence, this study selects the summer of 2030 as the simulated period .