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Incidence of Photovoltaics in Cities Based on Indicators of Occupancy and Urban Sustainability

Author

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  • Antonio Barragán-Escandón

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Calle Vieja 12-30 y Elia Liut, Cuenca 010102, Ecuador)

  • Esteban Zalamea-León

    (Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010103, Ecuador)

  • Julio Terrados-Cepeda

    (Department of Graphic Engineering, Design and Projects, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

Abstract

Previous research has assessed the potential of solar energy against possible demand; however, the sustainability issues associated with the use of large-scale photovoltaic deployment in urban areas have not been jointly established. In this paper, the impact of photovoltaic energy in the total urban energy mix is estimated using a series of indicators that consider the economic, environmental and social dimensions. These indicators have been previously applied at the country level; the main contribution of this research is applying them at the urban level to the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca is close to the equatorial line and at a high altitude, enabling this area to reach the maximum self-supply index because of the high irradiation levels and reduced demand. The solar potential was estimated using a simple methodology that applies several indexes that were proven reliable in a local context considering this particular sun path. The results demonstrate that the solar potential can meet the electric power demand of this city, and only the indicator related to employment is positive and substantially affected. The indicators related to the price of energy, emissions and fossil fuel dependency do not change significantly, unless a fuel-to-electricity transport system conversions take place.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Barragán-Escandón & Esteban Zalamea-León & Julio Terrados-Cepeda, 2019. "Incidence of Photovoltaics in Cities Based on Indicators of Occupancy and Urban Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:810-:d:209952
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    Cited by:

    1. Edgar A. Barragán-Escandón & Esteban Zalamea-León & John Calle-Sigüencia & Julio Terrados-Cepeda, 2022. "Impact of Solar Thermal Energy on the Energy Matrix under Equatorial Andean Context," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Antonia Cevallos-Escandón & Edgar Antonio Barragan-Escandón & Esteban Zalamea-León & Xavier Serrano-Guerrero & Julio Terrados-Cepeda, 2023. "Assessing the Feasibility of Hydrogen and Electric Buses for Urban Public Transportation using Rooftop Integrated Photovoltaic Energy in Cuenca Ecuador," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Teresa Santos & Raquel Deus & Jorge Rocha & José António Tenedório, 2021. "Assessing Sustainable Urban Development Trends in a Dynamic Tourist Coastal Area Using 3D Spatial Indicators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    4. Barragán-Escandón, Edgar A. & Zalamea-León, Esteban F. & Terrados-Cepeda, Julio & Vanegas-Peralta, P.F., 2020. "Energy self-supply estimation in intermediate cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    5. Zihao Feng & Bin Guo & Shoujia Ren & Yang Li, 2019. "Reduction in Sunshine Duration and Related Factors over Mainland China during 1961–2016," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    6. D’Adamo, Idiano & Falcone, Pasquale Marcello & Gastaldi, Massimo & Morone, Piergiuseppe, 2020. "The economic viability of photovoltaic systems in public buildings: Evidence from Italy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    7. Zambrano-Asanza, Sergio & Zalamea-León, Esteban F. & Barragán-Escandón, Edgar A. & Parra-González, Alejandro, 2019. "Urban photovoltaic potential estimation based on architectural conditions, production-demand matching, storage and the incorporation of new eco-efficient loads," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 224-238.

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