The Chinese Renewable Energy Law and BIPV's Introduction, Application and Development in China

This paper reviews building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications in China as one pathway toward diversification of the Chinese energy infrastructure. By analysing the potential of BIPV's penetration in Chinese urban areas and a scenario analysis in Beijing, this paper addresses the questions (1) Is BIPV feasible in China? (2) If the Chinese government chooses BIPV, what are the pros and cons? (3) How can obstacles be overcome to implement BIPV? In terms of current PV technology, a 5 kWp PV system occupying about 40 m2 rooftop area can produce c.a. 6 MWh electricity per year under average insolation levels in China. Given an approximate rooftop area in townships of roughly 4 billion m2 in 2003, installation of PV systems on just one third of these rooftops would enable annual generation of approximately 200 TWh. This represents 14% of Chinese annual electricity consumption in 2002 for BIPV or rooftop systems alone, independent of large concentrated solar facilities such as PV power plants. BIPV remains in its infancy or as a novelty in Chinese cities as demonstration projects and the potential of PV energy is far from full commercial exploitation. Globally, manufacturing capacity for PV cells recently exceeded 1 GW and the fastest increment of PV is the grid-connected PV system in residential rooftops, namely, BIPV in most cases. The Chinese Renewable Energy Law (CREL) is a landmark of Chinese government's endeavour to construct a harmonic society and transition to sustainable patterns of development. It supports a reduction in consumption of fossil fuels and seeks to stimulate renewable alternatives. Aiming for the enhancement of CREL this paper also analyses the background, contents and limitations of this law. Correlative recommendations for further improvement are given based on successful cases in other countries. To promote the rooftop programme of BIPV, economic incentives are discussed by adapting the German Feed-in Tariff to a scenario of a ?100 000 Rooftop Programme? in Beijing, China. Quantitative analysis of application of BIPV technology in Beijing as a sample case shows it is feasible in China. The environmental, social and economical benefits show BIPV should be developed in priority among all the renewables in Chinese cities. Finally, several suggestions on actions are given for policy-makers