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Exploring the seasonal impact of photovoltaic roofs on urban land surface temperature under different urban spatial forms

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Listed:
  • Pan, Zhan
  • Zhang, Lefeng
  • Dong, Linxin
  • Xu, Wei
  • Li, Guorong
  • Yuan, Yuan
  • Wang, Congxiao
  • Yu, Bailang

Abstract

Photovoltaic roofs (PVRs) are commonly used to reduce urban carbon emissions for improving urban sustainability. However, their potential impact on the urban thermal environment (IPVR) remains ambiguous, varying across urban spatial forms and seasons. Based on Amsterdam's local climate zone (LCZ) map, this study aimed to employ remote sensing and geographic information system technology to evaluate the seasonal IPVR. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between urban spatial metrics and the IPVR. The results indicated IPVR exhibited significant variations across seasons and LCZs. The warming effect was most significant in LCZ 5 during spring and LCZ 6 in autumn, whereas the cooling effect was strongest in LCZ 5 during summer and LCZ 8 in winter. In spring and autumn, higher building density and built-up areas intensified the warming effect of PVRs in LCZ 5, LCZ 6, and LCZ 8, whereas greenspace mitigated this effect. According to IPVR performance and the its relationship with urban spatial metrics, a cross-scale planning framework is proposed—from prioritizing city-scale implementation areas to specifying building-scale installation locations—to optimize PVR deployment and align renewable energy use with thermal environment improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Pan, Zhan & Zhang, Lefeng & Dong, Linxin & Xu, Wei & Li, Guorong & Yuan, Yuan & Wang, Congxiao & Yu, Bailang, 2025. "Exploring the seasonal impact of photovoltaic roofs on urban land surface temperature under different urban spatial forms," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:244:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125003866
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122724
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    1. repec:plo:pone00:0214474 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Zhixin Zhang & Min Chen & Teng Zhong & Rui Zhu & Zhen Qian & Fan Zhang & Yue Yang & Kai Zhang & Paolo Santi & Kaicun Wang & Yingxia Pu & Lixin Tian & Guonian Lü & Jinyue Yan, 2023. "Carbon mitigation potential afforded by rooftop photovoltaic in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Felix Creutzig & Sofia G. Simoes & Sina Leipold & Peter Berrill & Isabel Azevedo & Oreane Edelenbosch & Tomer Fishman & Helmut Haberl & Edgar Hertwich & Volker Krey & Ana Teresa Lima & Tamar Makov & A, 2024. "Demand-side strategies key for mitigating material impacts of energy transitions," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 14(6), pages 561-572, June.
    4. Yang, Ying & Campana, Pietro Elia & Stridh, Bengt & Yan, Jinyue, 2020. "Potential analysis of roof-mounted solar photovoltaics in Sweden," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
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    1. Anna Kochanek & Agnieszka Generowicz & Tomasz Zacłona, 2025. "The Role of Geographic Information Systems in Environmental Management and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources—A Review Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-34, September.
    2. Zhiyuan Gao & Ziying Jia & Ying Zhao & Yu Hao, 2025. "Enhancing the Synergistic Pathways of Industrial Pollution and Carbon Reduction (PCR) in China: An Energy Efficiency Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-20, May.

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