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• The performance of building PV system were analyzed in Hainan province. • The potential of PV system used on building roof was investigated. • Carbon emission reduction during 2020–2060 was calculated. • This study would provide references for using PV system in Hainan province. Energy balance in the building industry and the potential of building PV systems are indispensable to achieve carbon peaks and carbon neutrality in Hainan Province. This research investigated load matching for different types of buildings and the electricity generation potential of building PV systems in Hainan Province. The tilt angle, orientation, PV conversion efficiency and available area of the building were adopted as research parameters to analyze the chance of realizing zero carbon in the building industry. The potential of roof PV systems and economic analysis in Hainan Province were studied. The results show that when a high-performance PV system (20%) is utilized, the electricity demand of buildings can be covered, and 86.9% of the total electricity demand of Hainan Province can be provided by roof PV systems. If all available roof area was used appropriately, carbon emission reduction is up to 13.49 million tons CO 2 every year. The cumulative carbon emission reduction could be 408.7 million tons CO 2 by using roof PV systems during 2020–2060. The initial cost and pay back period were 117.4 billion CNY and 6.3 years, respectively. All residential buildings, office buildings and small hotels are able to achieve an energy balance when the PV conversion efficiency is 20%. Electricity generation reaches the maximal value when the tilt angle is 15°. When the tilt angle is in the range of 0° to 30°, energy generation is larger than 270 kWh/m2a, and the difference is less than 5%. Electricity production on the east and west facades is greater than that on the south façade. This research provides some references for using building PV systems in Hainan Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]