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Integration of PV Systems in Urban Environments: Complementary Metrics to Analyze Their Performance

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  • Carlos Gilabert-Torres

    (Electronic Engineering and Automatic Department, University of Jaén, Las Lagunillas Campus, A3 Building, 23071 Jaén, Spain
    Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy and Environment CEACTEMA, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Leocadio Hontoria-García

    (Electronic Engineering and Automatic Department, University of Jaén, Las Lagunillas Campus, A3 Building, 23071 Jaén, Spain
    Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy and Environment CEACTEMA, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Juan Ignacio Fernández-Carrasco

    (Electronic Engineering and Automatic Department, University of Jaén, Las Lagunillas Campus, A3 Building, 23071 Jaén, Spain
    Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy and Environment CEACTEMA, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Adel Mellit

    (Renewable Energy Laboratory, Jijel University, Jijel 18000, Algeria)

  • Catalina Rus-Casas

    (Electronic Engineering and Automatic Department, University of Jaén, Las Lagunillas Campus, A3 Building, 23071 Jaén, Spain
    Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy and Environment CEACTEMA, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

Abstract

The decarbonization of the energy sector drives the implementation of building-integrated and building-applied photovoltaic (BIPV–BAPV) systems. However, these systems face space and design limitations in urban environments. This study proposes an innovative methodology for the design and sizing of urban photovoltaic systems, considering diverse distributions and introducing metrics that link performance to occupied area. The methodology was applied to a university building in southern Spain, comparing the performance of rooftop photovoltaic (RTPV) and facade-applied photovoltaic (FAPV) systems. FAPV showed a larger useful area, resulting in similar self-sufficiency indices (RTPV: 22%, FAPV: 21%) and a 5% higher total emission reduction compared to the RTPV system. The proposed metrics demonstrate that FAPV outperforms RTPV both in final yield (49 vs. 21 kWh/kWp·m 2 ) and total emission reduction (3.1 vs. 1.3 kgCO2eq/kWp·m 2 ) normalized by installed power and occupied area. These complementary metrics are crucial for evaluating and selecting optimal photovoltaic configurations with varying generation densities and efficiencies, driving urban decarbonization and the creation of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs).

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Gilabert-Torres & Leocadio Hontoria-García & Juan Ignacio Fernández-Carrasco & Adel Mellit & Catalina Rus-Casas, 2025. "Integration of PV Systems in Urban Environments: Complementary Metrics to Analyze Their Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4411-:d:1727400
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