Research on Sustainable Economic Development Model Based on Clean Energy

Based on panel data from 31 Chinese provinces during 2010–2022, this study constructs a systematic theoretical framework incorporating clean energy investment, technological innovation, industrial structure optimization, and environmental governance, employing spatial econometric and threshold effect models to examine the impact mechanisms of clean energy development on sustainable economic growth. The findings reveal that clean energy development has a significant promoting effect on sustainable economic growth (impact coefficient 0.437) and generates notable spatial spillover effects (coefficient 0.328); technological innovation (38.24%), industrial structure optimization (31.47%), and environmental governance (25.89%) represent three crucial pathways through which clean energy drives sustainable economic development; this impact exhibits significant regional heterogeneity, with the eastern region (0.526) showing higher effects than central (0.437) and western regions (0.342), and demonstrating a strengthening trend over time. The innovative contributions of this paper include: the first combination of spatial econometrics and threshold effect models to study the economic effects of clean energy development; construction of a detailed measurement system for clean energy development that incorporates characteristics of different types of clean energy; and quantitative analysis of the inherent causes of regional differences using the Shapley value decomposition method. The research conclusions provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for formulating differentiated regional development strategies, strengthening technological innovation support, optimizing the industrial development environment, and enhancing environmental governance coordination.