Evaluating the geographical, technical and economic potential of wind and solar power in China: A critical review at different scales

Abstract

Accurately assessing the potential of wind and PV power is crucial in achieving the 2 °C climate target. Biased assessments will lead to flawed decisions by national governments and related industries, resulting in significant economic and social losses and energy waste. In this study, meta-analysis is used to identify and discuss the factors that affect the differences in existing wind power and PV potential evaluations at national and provincial scales in China. The present study delves into the geographical, technical, and economic potential, exploring the impact of the scenery complementary portfolio on future development trends. Results show that the primary factors affecting geographic potential are meteorological datasets and land use. Regarding technical potential, the hub height, turbine power rating, and rotor diameter appear as the key drivers of wind turbine power generation efficiency and effectiveness. As far as solar panel power generation is concerned, tilt angle and PV cell efficiency are the main influencing factors, with environmental factors having a more significant impact on PV technical potential than technical parameters. The study establishes a reference database for data use, providing a reliable reference basis for strategic planning decisions and improving the accuracy of future potential wind power/PV variability assessments.