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Energy Utilization and Carbon Reduction Potential of Solar Energy in Residential Blocks: A Case Study on a Tropical High-Density City in China

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  • Jingtao Li

    (Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, China
    School of Art, Hubei University, Wuhan 430061, China)

  • Zhixin Li

    (School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, China)

  • Yao Wang

    (Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, China)

  • Hong Zhang

    (School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, China)

Abstract

Energy efficiency in high-density urban areas is increasingly gaining more attention as the energy crisis and environmental issues worsen. Urban morphology is an essential factor affecting the energy consumption and solar energy development potential of buildings. In response to the research gap of previous studies that only analyzed building energy consumption or solar energy potential from a single objective, this paper aims to combine the two objectives of block-scale building energy consumption and solar development potential to explore the joint influence of urban residential morphological elements on correlations between the two. By investigating and summarizing 100 sample cases of Wuhan city blocks, 30 urban residential block prototypes were constructed. The correlations between the leading morphological indicators of the blocks with the building energy consumption and solar energy potential of the residential prototypes were quantified, respectively. The study results show that at certain floor area ratios, the highest solar power generation can be achieved with a mixture of high-rise slabs and high-rise towers, but the building energy intensity level is relatively high; combining building energy consumption and solar power generation, the residential block form of high-rise towers and low-rise villas has incredible energy-saving potential. In addition, the regression analysis results show that three block form indicators, namely the roof-to-envelope area ratio, compacity, and site coverage, have the most prominent influence on building energy intensity and solar power generation, and they all show positive correlations. This study can provide suggestions for urban residential planners and managers to promote urban energy conservation at the design stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingtao Li & Zhixin Li & Yao Wang & Hong Zhang, 2023. "Energy Utilization and Carbon Reduction Potential of Solar Energy in Residential Blocks: A Case Study on a Tropical High-Density City in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12975-:d:1227231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ana Paola Vargas & Leon Hamui, 2021. "Thermal Energy Performance Simulation of a Residential Building Retrofitted with Passive Design Strategies: A Case Study in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-21, July.
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    3. Yildirim, Deniz & Büyüksalih, Gürcan & Şahin, Ahmet Duran, 2021. "Rooftop photovoltaic potential in Istanbul: Calculations based on LiDAR data, measurements and verifications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    4. Sarralde, Juan José & Quinn, David James & Wiesmann, Daniel & Steemers, Koen, 2015. "Solar energy and urban morphology: Scenarios for increasing the renewable energy potential of neighbourhoods in London," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 10-17.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shaohang Shi & Ning Zhu, 2023. "Challenges and Optimization of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Windows: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-30, November.

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