Spatial patterns and environmental benefits of photovoltaic poverty alleviation programs in China

The photovoltaic poverty alleviation (PVPA) project in China integrates clean energy production into poverty reduction, gaining significant academic interest. However, a systematic assessment of the spatial distribution and emission reduction performance of existing PVPA power plants at the site level remains deficient. Based on comprehensive data collection and spatial visualization of all PVPA plants, we revealed spatial distribution patterns and estimates potential environmental benefits for each plant. During 2013–2019, the construction of approximately 180-thansand PVPA plants in China had resulted in an overall installed capacity of 21.77 GW. The spatial layout showed a decreasing trend from east to west, with distinct clusters at the border areas of different provinces. The cumulative emission reduction benefits amounted to 636 million tons, with large-scale solar photovoltaics and the North China Grid contributing significantly. Emission reduction efficiency per unit of installed capacity in the north was higher than the south. This study provides an initial site-level assessment of the PVPA program in China and emphasizes the need for integrating economic feasibility and environmental benefits, along with developing complementary policies and exploring innovative “photovoltaic plus” channels tailored to local contexts in the future.