Are roof-mounted solar PV systems a viable energy source for rural microgrids?

In rural areas, roof-mounted solar PV systems are among the main energy system development targets, and the spatial distribution information of PV power generation is crucial for the construction of rural microgrids.

Can rooftop solar be used in rural areas?

The substantial potential of rooftop solar can meet the current annual electricity demands of rural households, and can also address the wider electricity needs of sectors such as agriculture and forestry, collectively amounting to approximately 550 billion kWh.

Can solar power be used in rural areas?

This is especially relevant in densely populated eastern regions, where efficient use of space is crucial. The expansive rooftop area of rural buildings in China, estimated at 27.3 billion square meters, presents a vast potential for residential PV installation.

Can rooftop solar power boost rural income?

Dongwen Liu, CEO of Chongho Bridge, noted that rooftop solar projects could boost the annual cash income of rural populations by 10%-20%. The collaboration with Chongho Bridge is anticipated to yield significant environmental and social benefits for rural households, businesses and their wider communities through rooftop solar power generation.

How accurate is the spatial distribution of rooftop PV power generation potential?

By combining the above results and setting the solar radiation parameters and PV system efficiency, we can obtain the spatial distribution of the rooftop PV power generation potential in rural areas. This method is applied in northern China on a village and a town scale, and the overall accuracy of the revised U-Net model can reach over 92%.

Can rooftop solar be deployed in China?

This study moves beyond technical estimates to assess the deployable rooftop solar potential across 367 Chinese cities, factoring in real-world constraints. The findings offer actionable insights to guide strategic deployment and support China’s ambitious solar energy goals.