Encouraging the use of photovoltaic building materials such as “photovoltaic tiles” and “photovoltaic glass,” Guangdong has issued the “Technical Guidelines for the Design of Renewable Energy–Based Building Systems.”

On December 4, 2025, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Housing and Urban–Rural Development issued a notice on the promulgation of the “Technical Guidelines for the Design of Renewable Energy Applications in Buildings in Guangdong Province.” The Guidelines stipulate that new buildings should give priority to the use of solar photovoltaic systems, with preference given to installing such systems on building rooftops. Where rooftops do not meet the conditions for installing solar photovoltaic systems, a technical assessment shall be conducted under the organization of the project developer. Solar photovoltaic systems may be installed on building facades, landscape features (such as pavilions and weather‑proof corridors), canopies, and other suitable spaces within the building setback line. New buildings should actively pursue integrated photovoltaic‑building design and construction, and the use of building‑integrated photovoltaic components—such as photovoltaic tiles, photovoltaic walls, and photovoltaic glass—is encouraged. The construction of photovoltaic systems shall comply with the relevant requirements for urban and rural architectural appearance management in Guangdong Province. For new buildings, the design of solar photovoltaic systems shall determine the scale of implementation based on the building‑level solar photovoltaic design substitution rate (η) and the prescribed proportion of installed photovoltaic area. The proportion of installed photovoltaic area comprises the high‑efficiency solar photovoltaic installation ratio (ξw) and the other solar photovoltaic installation ratio (ξL). The installed photovoltaic area of a building is the actual area covered by the deployed photovoltaic modules. Solar photovoltaic systems shall be sited either centrally or distributed across the project site, tailored to local conditions. When photovoltaic systems are installed on building facades, landscape features (such as pavilions and covered walkways), canopies, or similar structures, shading between buildings must be taken into account, and compliance with safety and regulatory requirements must be ensured. When using components such as “photovoltaic glass,” it is essential to balance indoor daylighting, system photoelectric conversion efficiency, and economic viability, and to select an appropriate level of light transmittance for the photovoltaic products.

• The application of solar photovoltaic systems in newly constructed public buildings shall meet one of the following conditions:

1 The design substitution rate η for building-integrated photovoltaic systems shall be no less than 5%. 2. The proportion of solar photovoltaic installation area shall meet the requirements specified in Table 4.1‑1. For expanded and renovated public buildings, as well as energy‑saving renovation projects for existing public buildings, the installation of solar photovoltaic systems should be actively promoted. Compliance with the requirements applicable to newly constructed public buildings is encouraged.

• The application of solar photovoltaic systems in newly constructed residential buildings shall meet one of the following conditions:

1 The alternative rate η for building‑integrated photovoltaic design shall be no less than 3%. 2. The proportion of solar photovoltaic installation area shall comply with the requirements specified in Table 4.1-2.

• The application of solar photovoltaic systems in newly constructed industrial buildings shall meet one of the following conditions:

1 The proportion of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic installation area, ξW, shall be no less than 75%. 2. The annual electricity generation of solar photovoltaic systems shall be no less than the annual electricity consumption of industrial buildings. For industrial buildings undergoing expansion or renovation, as well as for existing industrial buildings undergoing green transformation, the installation of solar photovoltaic systems should be actively promoted. Encourage compliance with the requirement that the proportion of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic installation area, ξW, shall be no less than 50%. The Guidelines are as follows: