Article

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a global framework to assess solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment potential, evaluating technical and economic feasibility at a one-kilometer resolution. The framework integrates multi-source datasets and estimates a technical potential of 12,956.93 PWh/year and an economic potential of 4,990.20 PWh/year.

PV affordability improved significantly from 24.7% in 2013 to 75.1% in 2023, influenced more by economic factors than solar resource availability. Validation showed nearly 99% of existing PV installations are in affordable areas. The study also notes the challenge of existing PV on cropland and suggests agrivoltaics as a potential solution.