The importance of facades for the solar PV potential of a Mediterranean city using LiDAR data

Wong

Energy Science & Engineering

et al. 2019

In this paper, a spatial photovoltaic (PV) potential evaluation method based on the combination of aerial photogrammetry and Geographic Information System (GIS) is proposed for PV potential evaluation of built environment (BE). The method can be applied to PV potential evaluation of not only building roofs, but also built environments such as carpark. The point cloud model of the studied field is established by processing images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which are then imported into GIS to estimate the available area for PV installation based on sunlight analysis after offsetting the identified borders of the urban and ecological infrastructures. The PV potential is determined based on the installation configurations of PV modules. With the help of the PVSYST software simulation, the proposed method in this paper is used to evaluate the PV potential of a carpark and a rooftop of a building in Singapore.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the photovoltaic potential in built environment using spatial data captured by unmanned aerial vehicles

Wong

Energy Science & Engineering

et al. 2019

“…These methodologies are appropriate to highly urbanized areas and simple box data are easy to acquire and use; however, in most cases, these data contain only buildings without other objects. Other studies have focused on all the objects in an area using detailed surface models such as Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data [23][24][25][26][27][28], UAV-derived data [29] and designed three dimensional (3D) models [30][31][32]. These detailed models contain all objects containing trees, but usually, have complex shapes and are difficult to analyze.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of Solar Panel Orientation Considering Temporal Volatility and Scenario-Based Photovoltaic Potential: A Case Study in Seoul National University

Park

2019

Energies

University campuses accommodate large numbers of people and are suitable places to organize a microgrid. The solar potential in the university area is estimated and the optimal orientation of solar panels is presented in this study. The optimal orientation is analyzed considering temporal volatility to increase the stability of the grid. Several variables are selected and scenarios are designed to consider various investments and technologies. Scenario-specific photovoltaic potentials were estimated using Geographic Information Systems analysis technology. Analysis of temporal volatility was conducted based on the difference between demand and supply of electricity. Optimal panel orientations were presented according to project objectives, such as highest efficiency or low volatility. As a result, the total potential of the study area was tens to hundreds of GWh/year depending on the scenario. The university has an advantage in hourly volatility, but has some problems in monthly volatility. The optimal orientation varies according to objectives and solar power supply ratio. The results of this study are expected to help researchers and technicians in the solar energy industry and assist in urban planning.

“…With this in mind, Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools compare different design alternatives related to the efficiency and energy consumption in buildings, providing useful and quick information to the technicians [28]. Owing to the importance of the level of solar irradiance on façades and roofs [29,30], architects should consider it during the early phases of their projects. In this line of work, Tang Minfang [31] studied the effect of the azimuth angle and the height of the main façades of a building on the available solar radiation and Salazar Trujillo [32] described the influence of solar radiation on the temperatures inside the rooms in order to improve energy efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodology for Buildings Access to Solar Radiation in Sustainable Cities

et al. 2019

The growing need to improve the environmental and energy sustainability of buildings involves the use of solar radiation incident on their surfaces. However, in cities, this task is complicated due to the constructive geometry that leads to shading between buildings. In this context, this work presents a study of solar access to the façades of buildings in cities. The methodology is based on the determination of the incident annual solar radiation in 121 significant points of each façade considering the twelve representative days of the year. To characterize the influence of the different city typologies on solar access, the urban solar coefficient is proposed. A study of two neighborhoods in Cordoba (Spain) with different urban settings have been analyzed. Specifically, two typologies of neighborhoods have been compared: one with “L-shaped” and “U-shaped blocks” and another with “Grouped blocks”. For both of them, the Urban Solar Coefficient has been calculated, obtaining a higher mean value for the neighborhood with “L-shaped” and “U-shaped blocks” (0.317) than for the one with “Grouped blocks” (0.260). Accordingly, the results show that urban morphology can influence the Urban Solar Coefficient and solar access. Finally, a regression model for each neighborhood has been obtained in order to determine the dependence of the Urban Solar Coefficient on neighborhood geometry factors.