To improve the understanding of the cost and benefit of photovoltaic (PV) power generation in China, we analyze the per kWh cost, fossil energy replacement and level of CO2 mitigation, as well as the cost per unit of r. China ranks the first in the world in terms of both primary energy production and demand. 2.1. Classification of PV systemsThere are several approaches to categorizing PV systems, including ground-mounted and rooftop systems according to the locations whe. 3.1. Cost of solar electricityThe cost of solar electricity is calculated using Eqs. (1), (4), as shown in Fig. 4. Assuming the learning rate is 14%, the discount rate is 4. By 2020, PV power generation could save 17.4 Mtce fossil energy and 46.5 Tg CO2 compared with 600 MWe coal-fired supercritical units. To protect the global climate, the worl. Solar energy is abundant, safe, clean, and renewable, and China has excellent geographical conditions to develop PV power, namely significant solar energy and large areas of ba.