Net solar generation potential from urban rooftops in Los Angeles

Abstract

Rooftops provide accessible locations for solar energy installations. While rooftop solar arrays can offset inbuilding electricity needs, they may also stress electric grid operations. Here we present an analysis of net electricity generation potential from distributed rooftop solar in Los Angeles. We integrate spatial and temporal data for property-level electricity demands, rooftop solar generation potential, and grid capacity constraints to estimate the potential for solar to meet on-site demands and supply net exports to the electric grid. In the study area with 1.2 million parcels, rooftop solar could meet 7200 Gigawatt Hours (GWh) of on-site building demands (~29% of demand). Overall potential net generation is negative, meaning buildings use more electricity than they can produce. Yet, cumulative net export potential from solar to grid circuits is 16,400 GWh. Current policies that regulate solar array interconnection to the grid result in unutilized solar power output of 1700 MW. Lowerincome and at-risk communities in LA have greater potential for exporting net solar generation to the grid. This potential should be recognized through investments and policy innovations. The method demonstrates the need for considering time-dependent calculations of net solar potential and offers a template for distributed renewable energy planning in cities.

Building an interactive web mapping tool to support distributed energy resource planning using public participation GIS

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Effectiveness of solar panel positioning and grid tie inverter (GTI) in generating solar energy in Indonesian houses

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Conclusion

“…We found that under-resourced communities in Los Angeles generally have greater potential to contribute peak solar generation exports to the electric grid, along with greater excess capacity in local circuits to accept solar from sources other than rooftops (Porse et al 2020 ). This means that solar capacity potential is underutilized in situ, pushing purchases of solar to off-site solar arrays, taking up lands that could be used for other purposes.…”