Land suitability evaluation of large-scale photovoltaic plants using structural equation models.

• A new method for photovoltaic suitability is proposed, to avoid subjectivity. • Different site preferences between ground-mounted and floating PV are found. • The weighting results of different subjective and objective methods are compared. • The future scenarios of photovoltaic land optimization are designed. Land suitability evaluation is vital for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) plant construction. However, subjectivity in previous methods affects result reliability. We propose a new method using structural equation models to develop PV suitability indices, and demonstrate its validity in Zhejiang Province, China. By combining theoretic design with data mining technique, our method measures the structured paths between the overall index and evaluation indicators, exhibiting good model fit, flexible and objective weighting. Our results suggest that the spatial distribution of targeted PV plants based on suitability indices largely differs from that of observed ones. Most suitable areas for PV construction in Zhejiang Province are situated along the eastern coast, northern plain and river networks. The estimated PV technical potential for areas with and above moderate suitability is approximately 1,600 TWh/year, equivalent to 830 million tons/year of carbon emission reduction. Our study provides PV development strategies for similar areas in China and beyond. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]