Solar power generation on Rongwu Expressway

Are land resources available for constructing solar PV systems in China?

The shifting trend of land resources accessible for constructing solar PV systems in China has also been investigated . The studies mentioned above provide a macrolevel answer to the overall PV potential in China, as well as the types of land appropriate for PV systems and their geographical distribution.

Are Chinese highways a good choice for PV systems?

Even assuming that all highways are 15 m wide, Chinese highways could provide abundant areas for the deployment of PV systems . Another distinctive feature of Chinese highways is that their distribution is denser in the southeast than in the northwest.

How many GW CAN a solar power plant generate a year?

Based on the highway data with a total mileage of 143,684 km at the end of 2020, the results show that the annual PV potential is 3,932 TW and that the corresponding installed capacity is 700.85 GW, which can generate clean electricity at a rate of up to 629.06 TWh.

How is Highway PV potential calculated?

When calculating the highway PV potential, the solar irradiation received in these shadow areas is regarded as zero. Finally, the PV potential of all lanes and emergency lanes was estimated at the prefecture-level city scale using surface radiation data and radiation assessment models.

What factors affect Highway solar PV potential?

Although the highway shadow areas caused by terrain are considered when estimating the highway solar PV potential at the hourly scale, other factors, e.g., the shadows cast by road noise barriers, roadside trees, and highway guardrails are not considered.

Does land use suitability affect solar energy distribution in China?

Previous studies have examined the spatial distribution characteristics of solar energy in China from the perspective of PV land use suitability . The shifting trend of land resources accessible for constructing solar PV systems in China has also been investigated .