GIS-based Dimensionless Assessment of Distributed Rooftop PV in Chinese Residential Communities

For the purpose of applicable regional assessment of the residential roof-mounted PV, a di-mensionless estimation based on the multi-criteria database is carried out in this paper. With Energy-Economic-Environment relevant factors incorporated in GIS, a dimensionless index was protocoled as the regional substitution rates of distributed rooftop PV (RSR-DRPV) for typical residential communities. This model reveals the potential quantitatively and spatially in forms of queryable interpolated GIS mappings, considering both supply and demand sides. Results indicated that the distribution of urban RSR-DRPV was in accord with that of solar resources. However, the rural RSR-DPVR tended to be equally distributed in China mainland, except for the eastern coastal regions with higher ranges. Policy implications were also given regarding quantitative magnitude and subsidy levels. This evaluation was conducted at community scale, and it can be taken as reference when establishing located subsidy levels for urban and rural areas respectively at planning stage.