Solar potential calculation at city and district levels

Abstract

Several cities worked together through the European cooperation project POLIS on the identification of active and passive solar potential. Different studies were set up within a specific framework, using different methodologies in order to reach the shared goal. The following paper presents initiatives in Malmö (Sweden), Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), Lyon (France) and Lisbon (Portugal). There are 2 main objectives for these initiatives. The first goal is to guide the development of solar energy on a large scale (ex: city level) by identifying the urban areas where solar energy could be easily implemented or where energy needs are very high. The second goal aims to bring information to inhabitants and building owners on the potential of their roof to encourage them to invest in solar. Providing this information requires detailed calculations and results readily understandable by the beneficiaries. It is usually implemented at the level of a district previously identified.

A review study about energy renovation of building facades with BIPV in urban environment

“…Radiance) the solar irradiation can be computed considering building obstructions by means of detailed models or using correction factors, which reduce the total roof/façade area to obtain the suitable area for solar systems. Examples of this approach are the works of Caamaño-Martin et al (2012), Lobaccaro et al (2012), Amado and Poggi (2014) and Fath et al (2015);…”

Measurement and Experimental Testing of Models for the Estimation of HourlySolar Radiation on Vertical Surfaces at Mexico City

“…These figures allow the calculation of the annual photovoltaic energy produced by a building façade in Mexico City, as a function of the PV power installed. The assessment of the BIPV potential of an area of the city, would need a previous analysis of the suitable envelope area of each building to install PV modules [22] using GIS (Geographic Information System) tools com-bined with aerial photogrammetric data and local descriptive information [23], [24].…”