This study assesses the carbon mitigation potential of rooftop photovoltaics (RPVs) in 354 Chinese cities. Using multi-source geospatial data and machine learning, researchers identified 65,962 km² of rooftop area, representing a potential 4 billion tons of carbon mitigation under ideal conditions. Considering urban expansion and power mix changes, the potential remains significant in 2030, but most cities have exploited less than 1% of their potential. The study analyzes geographical factors influencing RPV potential and offers insights for targeted development in China and other countries.

Zhixin Zhang, Min Chen, Teng Zhong, Rui Zhu, Zhen Qian, Fan Zhang, Yue Yang, Kai Zhang, Paolo Santi, Kaicun Wang, Yingxia Pu, Lixin Tian, Guonian Lü, Jinyue Yan