TL;DR:
- China collaborates with prestigious institutes to progress toward carbon neutrality.
- Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite, aided by a random forest model, advances solar resource assessment.
- Integration of a physical model chain enhances precision in solar resource mapping.
- A comprehensive PV resource map empowers decision-makers for sustainable solar energy systems.
- Research sets new standards, inspiring the global pursuit of renewable energy.
Main AI News:
In an exceptional stride towards achieving carbon neutrality, China witnesses a momentous collaboration between the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAP/CAS), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), and the National Satellite Meteorological Center (MSMC) of China Meteorological Administration. This groundbreaking alliance has yielded remarkable advancements in solar resource assessment, a pivotal component for harnessing photovoltaic (PV) energy with utmost efficiency.
Through the astute utilization of data from the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager aboard the Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite, a cutting-edge random forest model, and a physical model chain that deftly converts irradiance to PV power, the team has managed to craft an intricate PV resource map, illuminating China’s solar energy potential like never before.
At the forefront of solar resourcing and forecasting, FY-4A, the pioneering Chinese geostationary satellite, boasts unparalleled high-resolution capabilities. GAO Ling from NSMC affirms that the satellite’s broader field-of-view has significantly bolstered the reliability of current solar radiation assessments over China, surpassing those derived from Himawari or Meteosat satellites, particularly towards the satellite’s periphery.
Leading the charge, Prof. XIA Xiang’ao, the corresponding author from IAP/CAS, divulges that their endeavors transcend the conventional global horizontal irradiance (GHI) approaches commonly used in such studies. Instead, their research extends to encompass effective irradiance, a pivotal factor in precise solar resource assessment tailored for PV applications.
This extension marks a defining characteristic of the latest energy-meteorology-style of solar resource assessment, as highlighted by HIT professor YANG Dazhi, the co-corresponding author of the paper.
What truly sets this research apart is the seamless integration of a highly advanced workflow known as the physical model chain. By harnessing a sequence of energy meteorology models in cascade, the team attains remarkably accurate estimates of in-plane irradiance. Such an innovative approach holds profound implications for the future of solar resource assessment.
The resultant solar PV resource map borne from this collaborative research holds immense value for all stakeholders involved in devising, planning, and operating solar energy systems. Armed with comprehensive insights into China’s solar energy landscape, decision-makers are now empowered to make informed choices for a sustainable and green energy future.
These trailblazing research findings have been immortalized in the prestigious journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, with the first author of the paper being Dr. SHI Hongrong from IAP/CAS.
Conclusion:
The successful collaboration between China’s institutes, leveraging the FY-4A satellite and AI model, signifies a significant leap towards achieving carbon neutrality. The integration of advanced technologies in solar resource mapping paves the way for a promising market for sustainable energy solutions. Decision-makers can utilize comprehensive insights to drive the adoption of solar energy systems, promoting a greener and more sustainable future in the energy sector. This cutting-edge research sets new standards for solar resource assessment, creating opportunities for global investment and inspiring positive change in the renewable energy market.