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Trends and Evolution of the GIS-Based Photovoltaic Potential Calculation

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastiano Anselmo

    (Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning, Politecnico di Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Maria Ferrara

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

In the current framework of energy transition, renewable energy production has gained a renewed relevance. A set of 75 papers was selected from the existing literature and critically analyzed to understand the main inputs and tools used to calculate solar energy and derive theoretical photovoltaic production based on geographic information systems (GISs). A heterogeneous scenario for solar energy estimation emerged from the analysis, with a prevalence of 2.5D tools—mainly ArcGIS and QGIS—whose calculation is refined chiefly by inputting weather data from databases. On the other hand, despite some minor changes, the formula for calculating the photovoltaic potential is widely acknowledged and includes solar energy, exploitable surface, performance ratio, and panel efficiency. While sectorial studies—targeting a specific component of the calculation—are sound, the comprehensive ones are generally problematic due to excessive simplification of some parts. Moreover, validation is often lacking or, when present, only partial. The research on the topic is in constant evolution, increasingly moving towards purely 3D models and refining the estimation to include the time component—both in terms of life cycle and variations between days and seasons.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastiano Anselmo & Maria Ferrara, 2023. "Trends and Evolution of the GIS-Based Photovoltaic Potential Calculation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:23:p:7760-:d:1287299
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ren, Haoshan & Xu, Chengliang & Ma, Zhenjun & Sun, Yongjun, 2022. "A novel 3D-geographic information system and deep learning integrated approach for high-accuracy building rooftop solar energy potential characterization of high-density cities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    2. Prades-Gil, C. & Viana-Fons, J.D. & Masip, X. & Cazorla-Marín, A. & Gómez-Navarro, T., 2023. "An agile heating and cooling energy demand model for residential buildings. Case study in a mediterranean city residential sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    3. Singh, Sarvesh Kumar & Lohani, Bharat & Arora, Lavish & Choudhary, Devendra & Nagarajan, Balasubramanian, 2020. "A visual-inertial system to determine accurate solar insolation and optimal PV panel orientation at a point and over an area," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 223-238.
    4. Zhu, Rui & Cheng, Cheng & Santi, Paolo & Chen, Min & Zhang, Xiaohu & Mazzarello, Martina & Wong, Man Sing & Ratti, Carlo, 2022. "Optimization of photovoltaic provision in a three-dimensional city using real-time electricity demand," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    5. Ren, Haoshan & Ma, Zhenjun & Ming Lun Fong, Alan & Sun, Yongjun, 2022. "Optimal deployment of distributed rooftop photovoltaic systems and batteries for achieving net-zero energy of electric bus transportation in high-density cities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    6. Liu, Jiang & Wu, Qifeng & Lin, Zhipeng & Shi, Huijie & Wen, Shaoyang & Wu, Qiaoyu & Zhang, Junxue & Peng, Changhai, 2023. "A novel approach for assessing rooftop-and-facade solar photovoltaic potential in rural areas using three-dimensional (3D) building models constructed with GIS," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
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    1. Reguera Bueno, G. & Simal Pérez, N. & Cortés-Carmona, M. & Alonso-Montesinos, J., 2025. "Land use, soiling impact and distance to electrical grid applied to determine the viability of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in the south of Spain," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

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