How do shaded areas affect solar energy potentials of PV highways?

The solar energy potentials of PV highways are influenced by shadow areas on the highway surface created by the surrounding terrain. In this study, a total of 615 paired blocks of DEM and highway data were used to calculate the hourly shaded areas of highways throughout China, as described in Section 3.2.

What is the solar energy potential of highways in China?

The annual solar energy potential of Chinese highways at the prefecture-level city scale. According to the obtained results, the highway solar energy potential in China is 3,932 TW. Fig. 9 shows that cities with high highway solar energy potential is mostly located in the northwest, north, and south-central parts of China.

How much power does a photovoltaic Highway generate in China?

By 2020, the mileage of Chinese highway was 143,684 km and the area was 3,957 km 2. The installed capacity and power generation of PV highways in China are 700.85 GW and 629.06 TWh, respectively. Installing photovoltaic (PV) modules on highways is considered a promising way to support carbon neutrality in China.

Who are China's leaders in solar road development?

China’s leaders in solar road development are Pavenergy and Qilu Transportation. The two companies are working together here in Jinan, in Shandong Province, with Pavenergy making panels for Qilu, a large, state-owned highway construction and management company that operates the highway.

What is the solar energy potential of a highway?

Generally, the intensity of solar radiation received by a highway is low around sunrise and sunset. Therefore, the potential of solar energy lost during these periods is small, even if the highway is shadowed by surrounding terrain. 4.3. Assessment of the solar energy potential of highways in China

Is China testing solar roads?

China Is Testing Roads Paved With Solar Panels Solar roads in China. JINAN, China — On a smoggy afternoon, huge log carriers and oil tankers thundered down a highway and hurtled around a curve at the bottom of a hill. Only a single, unreinforced guardrail stood between the traffic and a ravine.