The impact of setback regulations on PV deployment strategies in Gyeonggi province, South Korea

This study investigates the impact of setback regulations on photovoltaic (PV) deployment in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, a region with high renewable energy demand. Using GIS-based spatial analysis, PV-suitable sites were identified and analyzed under current and no setback scenarios. Observed PV data informed calculations for PV generation potential and economic viability. Removing setback regulations increases PV installation area by 75.07%, capacity by 24.77%, and generation potential by 24.42%. However, this expansion reduces efficiency, especially in farmland and mountainous areas. Agrophotovoltaic and eco-conscious strategies are suggested to address environmental concerns. The residential sector offers the highest potential, highlighting the value of rooftop PV policies. Three deployment strategies were evaluated: price-based, quantity-based, and full deployment. The price-based strategy is cost-efficient but falls short of targets. The full deployment strategy meets PV goals but at higher costs. The quantity-based strategy balances scalability and cost-efficiency, reducing costs by 27.08% without setback regulations. This study underscores the importance of tailored policies to enhance PV deployment in densely populated, land-constrained areas, offering insights for achieving renewable energy targets. • This study presents a municipal-scale analysis of setback regulations on solar PV deployment. • A GIS-based framework integrates legal, spatial, and economic data across land-use types. • A geospatial supply-curve evaluates cost-effective deployment strategies. • Results offer policy guidance for flexible, land-efficient PV planning.