Allocation and Challenges of Photovoltaic Power Generation Capacity into Municipalities to Realize Carbon-neutral

Abstract

Several-hundred gigawatts of photovoltaic power generation (PV) needs to be installed to realize carbon-neutral Japan. Municipalities are expected to set PV installation targets which corresponds to wider area targets, but the allocation method of such target into municipalities are not determined. Also, in suburban and rural areas, installed capacity of PV tends to be larger than the electricity demand, which increases the reverse power flow. To tackle future power system problems, allocation of the future PV capacity between municipalities is one of the most important factors. This paper proposes the future PV capacity allocation method between distribution areas in Chubu region, corresponding to a nationwide of 300GW in 2050. First, PV installation potentials are calculated in each municipality because many datasets are disclosed on a municipality (city, ward, town and village) basis. Second, the allocated PV capacity in each municipality is calculated based on the potential. Results indicate that the sum of PV allocated capacity into solar-sharing and abandoned farmland is more than half of the total capacity. Allocated PV capacity in some municipalities exceeds 50kW per household in 2050, which indicates that countermeasures will be needed such as reinforcement of substations or installation of energy storage systems.