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A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale

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  • Gabriele Lobaccaro

    (Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Malgorzata Maria Lisowska

    (Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Erika Saretta

    (ISAAC-SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH 6952 Canobbio, Switzerland
    Department of Architecture, Built environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Pierluigi Bonomo

    (ISAAC-SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH 6952 Canobbio, Switzerland)

  • Francesco Frontini

    (ISAAC-SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH 6952 Canobbio, Switzerland)

Abstract

Rapid and uncontrolled urbanization is continuously increasing buildings’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In this scenario, solar energy integrated into the built environment can play an important role in optimizing the use of renewable energy sources on urban surfaces. Preliminary solar analyses to map the solar accessibility and solar potential of building surfaces (roofs and façades) should become a common practice among urban planners, architects, and public authorities. This paper presents an approach to support urban actors to assess solar energy potential at the neighborhood scale and to address the use of solar energy by considering overshadowing effects and solar inter-building reflections in accordance with urban morphology and building characteristics. The approach starts with urban analysis and solar irradiation analysis to elaborate solar mapping of façades and roofs. Data processing allows assessment of the solar potential of the whole case study neighborhood of Sluppen in Trondheim (Norway) by localizing the most radiated parts of buildings’ surfaces. Reduction factors defined by a new method are used to estimate the final solar potential considering shadowing caused by the presence of buildings’ architectural elements (e.g., glazed surfaces, balconies, external staircases, projections) and self-shading. Finally, rough estimation of solar energy generation is assessed by providing preliminary recommendations for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems suited to local conditions. Results show that depending on urban morphology and buildings’ shapes, PV systems can cover more than 40% of the total buildings’ energy needs in Trondheim.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriele Lobaccaro & Malgorzata Maria Lisowska & Erika Saretta & Pierluigi Bonomo & Francesco Frontini, 2019. "A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:18:p:3554-:d:268012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Freitas, S. & Catita, C. & Redweik, P. & Brito, M.C., 2015. "Modelling solar potential in the urban environment: State-of-the-art review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 915-931.
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    3. Lobaccaro, G. & Croce, S. & Lindkvist, C. & Munari Probst, M.C. & Scognamiglio, A. & Dahlberg, J. & Lundgren, M. & Wall, M., 2019. "A cross-country perspective on solar energy in urban planning: Lessons learned from international case studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 209-237.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Peru Elguezabal & Alex Lopez & Jesus Maria Blanco & Jose Antonio Chica, 2020. "Assessment on the Efficiency of an Active Solar Thermal Facade: Study of the Effect of Dynamic Parameters and Experimental Analysis When Coupled/Uncoupled to a Heat Pump," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Paulius Kozlovas & Saulius Gudzius & Jokubas Ciurlionis & Audrius Jonaitis & Inga Konstantinaviciute & Viktorija Bobinaite, 2023. "Assessment of Technical and Economic Potential of Urban Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Lithuania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-29, July.
    4. Arnulf Jäger-Waldau, 2020. "The Untapped Area Potential for Photovoltaic Power in the European Union," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-7, October.
    5. Formolli, M. & Kleiven, T. & Lobaccaro, G., 2023. "Assessing solar energy accessibility at high latitudes: A systematic review of urban spatial domains, metrics, and parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    6. Matteo Formolli & Gabriele Lobaccaro & Jouri Kanters, 2021. "Solar Energy in the Nordic Built Environment: Challenges, Opportunities and Barriers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Witold Jan Wardal & Kamila Mazur & Jan Barwicki & Mikhail Tseyko, 2024. "Fundamental Barriers to Green Energy Production in Selected EU Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Solomon Feleke & Degarege Anteneh & Balamurali Pydi & Raavi Satish & Adel El-Shahat & Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz, 2023. "Feasibility and Potential Assessment of Solar Resources: A Case Study in North Shewa Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
    9. Jouttijärvi, Sami & Lobaccaro, Gabriele & Kamppinen, Aleksi & Miettunen, Kati, 2022. "Benefits of bifacial solar cells combined with low voltage power grids at high latitudes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    10. Bushra, Nayab & Hartmann, Timo & Constantin Ungureanu, Lucian, 2022. "A method for global potential assessment of roof integrated two-stage solar concentrators (TSSCs) at district scale," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    11. Vecchi, Francesca & Berardi, Umberto, 2024. "Solar analysis for an urban context from GIS to block-scale evaluations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    12. Thebault, Martin & Desthieux, Gilles & Castello, Roberto & Berrah, Lamia, 2022. "Large-scale evaluation of the suitability of buildings for photovoltaic integration: Case study in Greater Geneva," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    13. Bushra, Nayab, 2022. "A comprehensive analysis of parametric design approaches for solar integration with buildings: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    14. Meskiana Boulahia & Kahina Amal Djiar & Miguel Amado, 2021. "Combined Engineering—Statistical Method for Assessing Solar Photovoltaic Potential on Residential Rooftops: Case of Laghouat in Central Southern Algeria," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, March.
    15. Ye, Yuxuan & Zhu, Rui & Yan, Jinyue & Lu, Lin & Wong, Man Sing & Luo, Wei & Chen, Min & Zhang, Fan & You, Linlin & Wang, Yafei & Qin, Zheng, 2023. "Planning the installation of building-integrated photovoltaic shading devices: A GIS-based spatiotemporal analysis and optimization approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).

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