Impact of Urban Street Network on BIPV Generation Capacity of Buildings

Abstract

Climate change necessitates a critical reconsideration of the built environment since buildings are among the top fossil fuel consumers. Solar energy generation through building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems is one of the most common onsite energy generation methods. However, many factors regarding urban morphology can negatively affect BIPV generation. Urban block typologies and spatial patterns are commonly studied descriptive metrics of an urban morphology that affect the solar energy potential. Similarly, the street network pattern is a measure of the spatial quality of an urban environment. Although various urban morphology indicators have been extensively studied in relation to solar energy potential, a comparative analysis of urban fabric focusing on street network patterns is also needed. In this study, four representative urban areas with different morphological characteristics are studied. The selected morphologies are parametrically modelled and compared with different building height configurations. A comparative analysis of BIPV generation capacity per square meter façade or roof area is presented. Urban areas without a dominating street network pattern have resulted in greater PV generation on facades, whereas the impact of urban morphology was found negligible for roof PV potential. The findings of this research have the potential to aid in urban planning and architectural design decisions, as well as the efficient use of BIPV systems in diverse urban morphologies.