Under the dual-carbon goals and energy transition backdrop, the photovoltaic cell has become a crucial pillar for optimizing China’s energy structure and promoting green development. From the perspective of patent intelligence, this study systematically investigates the spatiotemporal evolution paths, coupling characteristics, and driving mechanisms of China’s photovoltaic cell industry and innovation chains, using nationwide photovoltaic cell enterprise and patent data from 2005 to 2024 and integrating spatial gravity center modeling, location quotient analysis, and spatial Durbin models. The findings reveal the following: (1) the spatiotemporal evolution of the dual chains exhibits distinct phases, with a notable developmental leap after 2015. The industry chain shows a pattern of “westward shift and eastern optimization,” while the innovation chain evolves from eastern dominance toward a nationally coordinated, multipolar network. (2) At the macro level, the dual chains demonstrate a coupling trend characterized by “coordinated gravity center migration and spatial distance convergence,” yet significant spatial heterogeneity and mismatch persist at the city scale. (3) Industrial agglomeration has an inverted U-shaped effect on innovation, with regional heterogeneity in its impact, driven synergistically by multidimensional factors such as economic foundation, the innovation environment, and openness. Based on these insights, this study proposes recommendations for optimizing the spatial layout of these dual chains, strengthening multifactor synergy, and implementing regionally differentiated policies, aiming to provide decision-making references for achieving sustainable and high-quality development in the photovoltaic cell.
Liang et al. (2026) studied this question.