"PNAS" cover The future of China's solar energy: meeting 43.2% of domestic electricity demand by 2060

In the next few decades, what will be the cost of solar power generation in China, including the inherent variability that will challenge the grid?

Researchers from Harvard University, Tsinghua University in Beijing, Nankai University in Tianjin, and Renmin University of China have found that by 2060, solar energy is less than 2.

The research was published in the cover article of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)

"The research results highlight a key energy transition point, not only for China, but also for other countries.

"Today, in most parts of China, unsubsidized solar energy has become cheaper than coal power.

Xi Lu received his Ph.

The research team developed a comprehensive model to evaluate China's solar energy potential and its cost in 2020-2060

The team then integrated the cost of investment and the speed of technological change to capture the current and future cost competitiveness of solar power generation relative to the evolving cost of coal power generation

Researchers first discovered that by 2020, the physical potential of solar photovoltaics in China has reached 99.

They subsequently demonstrated its cost competitiveness.

"Most people now realize that climate change requires getting rid of the use of fossil energy," said Chris P.

"Our research shows that if costs continue to fall, especially storage costs, it is possible to use solar energy to power cars, heat or cool buildings, or produce industrial chemicals

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI

10.