Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data

IntroductionSolar photovoltaic (PV) power generation, a crucial part of global renewable energy, has been advancing swiftly. However, effective promotion of PV generation relies not only on enhancing generation efficiency but also on thorough evaluations of construction suitability. This study addre...

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Main Authors: Hongju Tong, Ziyu Lv, Junyi Jiang, Xingguo Gao, Ziqing Wang, Chaoshuai You, Kun Xu, Yuhang Wu, Xin Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1528134/full
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author Hongju Tong
Ziyu Lv
Junyi Jiang
Xingguo Gao
Ziqing Wang
Chaoshuai You
Kun Xu
Yuhang Wu
Xin Pan
Xin Pan
author_facet Hongju Tong
Ziyu Lv
Junyi Jiang
Xingguo Gao
Ziqing Wang
Chaoshuai You
Kun Xu
Yuhang Wu
Xin Pan
Xin Pan
author_sort Hongju Tong
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionSolar photovoltaic (PV) power generation, a crucial part of global renewable energy, has been advancing swiftly. However, effective promotion of PV generation relies not only on enhancing generation efficiency but also on thorough evaluations of construction suitability. This study addresses this gap by developing a comprehensive evaluation framework for assessing the suitability of photovoltaic power station locations in China.MethodsThis research developed a subjective-objective evaluation framework that integrates the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method. This framework allows for a comprehensive analysis of photovoltaic power station location suitability. Long-term meteorological data and remote sensing products were used to calculate solar radiation and photovoltaic potential data, which were then applied to evaluate the suitability of photovoltaic generation across China.ResultsThe study revealed that from 2000 to 2020, China's average annual solar radiation was 5,896.437 MJ·m−2, and the total photovoltaic generation amounted to 1.10726 × 1015 KWh. By 2020, the average score for photovoltaic construction suitability in China was 0.1058, with suitable areas comprising 51.1% of the national territory. High-suitability regions were primarily concentrated in Northwest China, including Xinjiang and Gansu, where suitability scores exceeded 7.5 and annual generation surpassed 213 KWh. In contrast, southeastern coastal and southern provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian exhibited lower suitability scores (<3.5) and annual average generation of less than 19.2262 KWh, primarily due to limited land availability and reduced solar radiation.DiscussionThe findings emphasize the critical need to prioritize photovoltaic development in Northwest China, where favorable conditions offer considerable potential for large-scale photovoltaic generation. These regions possess rich solar resources and extensive land suitability, making them optimal for photovoltaic power station construction. In contrast, southeastern coastal areas and southern provinces are less suitable for photovoltaic development due to constraints in land availability and solar radiation levels. This study provides valuable insights for strategic photovoltaic development planning in China.
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spelling doaj-art-3f0fbd794e4b4c07b54eb674d197f7aa2025-01-23T06:55:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-01-011210.3389/feart.2024.15281341528134Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source dataHongju Tong0Ziyu Lv1Junyi Jiang2Xingguo Gao3Ziqing Wang4Chaoshuai You5Kun Xu6Yuhang Wu7Xin Pan8Xin Pan9Shandong Electirc Power Engineering Consulting Institute Corp. Ltd., Jinan, ChinaSchool of Earth Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaShandong Electirc Power Engineering Consulting Institute Corp. Ltd., Jinan, ChinaShandong Electirc Power Engineering Consulting Institute Corp. Ltd., Jinan, ChinaSchool of Earth Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaShandong Electirc Power Engineering Consulting Institute Corp. Ltd., Jinan, ChinaSchool of Earth Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaSchool of Earth Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Geography and Remote Sensing, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Soil and Water Processes in Watershed, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaIntroductionSolar photovoltaic (PV) power generation, a crucial part of global renewable energy, has been advancing swiftly. However, effective promotion of PV generation relies not only on enhancing generation efficiency but also on thorough evaluations of construction suitability. This study addresses this gap by developing a comprehensive evaluation framework for assessing the suitability of photovoltaic power station locations in China.MethodsThis research developed a subjective-objective evaluation framework that integrates the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method. This framework allows for a comprehensive analysis of photovoltaic power station location suitability. Long-term meteorological data and remote sensing products were used to calculate solar radiation and photovoltaic potential data, which were then applied to evaluate the suitability of photovoltaic generation across China.ResultsThe study revealed that from 2000 to 2020, China's average annual solar radiation was 5,896.437 MJ·m−2, and the total photovoltaic generation amounted to 1.10726 × 1015 KWh. By 2020, the average score for photovoltaic construction suitability in China was 0.1058, with suitable areas comprising 51.1% of the national territory. High-suitability regions were primarily concentrated in Northwest China, including Xinjiang and Gansu, where suitability scores exceeded 7.5 and annual generation surpassed 213 KWh. In contrast, southeastern coastal and southern provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian exhibited lower suitability scores (<3.5) and annual average generation of less than 19.2262 KWh, primarily due to limited land availability and reduced solar radiation.DiscussionThe findings emphasize the critical need to prioritize photovoltaic development in Northwest China, where favorable conditions offer considerable potential for large-scale photovoltaic generation. These regions possess rich solar resources and extensive land suitability, making them optimal for photovoltaic power station construction. In contrast, southeastern coastal areas and southern provinces are less suitable for photovoltaic development due to constraints in land availability and solar radiation levels. This study provides valuable insights for strategic photovoltaic development planning in China.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1528134/fullsuitability analysissolar energy resourcesphotovoltaic power generationmulti-source datacomprehensive assessment
spellingShingle Hongju Tong
Ziyu Lv
Junyi Jiang
Xingguo Gao
Ziqing Wang
Chaoshuai You
Kun Xu
Yuhang Wu
Xin Pan
Xin Pan
Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data
Frontiers in Earth Science
suitability analysis
solar energy resources
photovoltaic power generation
multi-source data
comprehensive assessment
title Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data
title_full Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data
title_fullStr Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data
title_short Analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in China using multi-source data
title_sort analysis of regional photovoltaic power generation suitability in china using multi source data
topic suitability analysis
solar energy resources
photovoltaic power generation
multi-source data
comprehensive assessment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1528134/full
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