China has achieved a significant breakthrough in solar energy mapping, unlocking the country’s immense green potential. Collaborating with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAP/CAS), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), and the National Satellite Meteorological Center (NSMC) of China Meteorological Administration, China’s commitment to carbon neutrality has taken a significant leap forward.
The project focuses on solar resource assessment, a crucial aspect of efficiently harnessing photovoltaic (PV) energy. By utilizing data from the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager on the Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite, as well as employing a random forest model and a physical model chain, the team has successfully generated a detailed PV resource map, shedding light on China’s solar energy potential.
The FY-4A satellite, as part of the new generation of Chinese geostationary satellites, plays a vital role in enhancing solar resourcing and forecasting with its high-resolution capabilities. The wider field-of-view of this satellite compared to its counterparts, such as Himawari or Meteosat satellites, significantly improves the reliability of solar radiation measurements, especially towards the edge of the satellite disk, as GAO Ling from NSMC explains.
Professor XIA Xiang’ao, the corresponding author from IAP/CAS, highlights that their research goes beyond conventional global horizontal irradiance (GHI) approaches commonly used in similar studies. The team’s work delves into effective irradiance, a critical factor for accurate solar resource assessment for PV applications.
One defining characteristic of this research is the integration of a highly advanced workflow known as the physical model chain. By combining a series of energy meteorology models in cascade, the team achieves remarkably accurate estimates of in-plane irradiance. This innovative approach holds significant implications for the future of solar resource assessment.
The resulting solar PV resource map from this collaborative research holds immense value for stakeholders involved in designing, planning, and operating solar energy systems. The comprehensive insights into China’s solar energy landscape empower decision-makers to make informed choices for a sustainable and green energy future.
The research findings have been published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, with Dr. SHI Hongrong from IAP/CAS serving as the first author of the paper.
As China makes strides towards carbon neutrality, the successful combination of advanced technology and pioneering research exemplified by the FY-4A satellite and the AI model sets a new standard for solar resource mapping. This achievement inspires positive change in the global pursuit of renewable energy.
In conclusion, China’s breakthrough in solar energy mapping is a significant milestone towards its green potential and commitment to carbon neutrality. Through collaboration and innovative approaches, China is unlocking vast possibilities for solar energy utilization, providing valuable insights for stakeholders and paving the way for a sustainable future.
