What is the future of solar energy in China?

China has already made major commitments to transitioning its energy systems towards renewables, especially power generation from solar, wind and hydro sources. However, there are many unknowns about the future of solar energy in China, including its cost, technical feasibility and grid compatibility in the coming decades.

Does utility-scale solar power have a viable grid penetration potential in China?

In this study, we developed an integrated technical, economic, and grid-compatible solar resource assessment model to analyze the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of the cost competitiveness of utility-scale solar power and its viable grid penetration potential in China from 2020 to 2060.

Can solar power decarbonize China's Energy System?

The dynamic spatial trajectory of cost-competitive and grid-compatible penetration potentials for solar power will be a critical determinant of the speed of energy system decarbonization in China.

How does grid optimization affect power generation and storage capacity potential?

The power generation and storage capacity potential data used in the grid optimization model were aggregated from the grid cell to the regional power grid level with the constraints that the bus-bar price of the combined solar and storage system is equal to or lower than the coal power price.

Does China have solar energy potential?

The research team developed an integrated model to assess solar energy potential in China and its cost from 2020-2060.

Can a local power grid transmit power back to the central grid?

Due to existing infrastructure limitations in China, local power grids cannot transmit power back to the central power grid. Thus, in the SWITCH-China model, we attach Demand-side batteries to the local grid, which allows them to be charged from the central grid but only discharged to the local grid.