IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i17p12975-d1227231.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/12975/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/12975/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    2. Xie, Xiaoxiong & Sahin, Ozge & Luo, Zhiwen & Yao, Runming, 2020. "Impact of neighbourhood-scale climate characteristics on building heating demand and night ventilation cooling potential," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 943-956.
    3. Herzer, Dierk, 2022. "The impact on domestic CO2 emissions of domestic government-funded clean energy R&D and of spillovers from foreign government-funded clean energy R&D," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    4. 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).
    5. 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.
    6. Guesmi, Khaled & Makrychoriti, Panagiota & Spyrou, Spyros, 2023. "The relationship between climate risk, climate policy uncertainty, and CO2 emissions: Empirical evidence from the US," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 610-628.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sun, Yanpeng & Song, Yuru & Long, Chi & Qin, Meng & Lobonţ, Oana-Ramona, 2023. "How to improve global environmental governance? Lessons learned from climate risk and climate policy uncertainty," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1666-1676.
    2. Li, Aihong & Li, Shuyan & Chen, Shuai & Sun, Xiaoqin, 2024. "The role of Fintech, natural resources, and renewable energy consumption in Shaping environmental sustainability in China: A NARDL perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    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.
    4. Xiaodong Xu & Chenhuan Yin & Wei Wang & Ning Xu & Tianzhen Hong & Qi Li, 2019. "Revealing Urban Morphology and Outdoor Comfort through Genetic Algorithm-Driven Urban Block Design in Dry and Hot Regions of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-19, July.
    5. Pata, Ugur Korkut & Kartal, Mustafa Tevfik & Erdogan, Sinan & Sarkodie, Samuel Asumadu, 2023. "The role of renewable and nuclear energy R&D expenditures and income on environmental quality in Germany: Scrutinizing the EKC and LCC hypotheses with smooth structural changes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    6. Chévez, Pedro Joaquín & Martini, Irene & Discoli, Carlos, 2019. "Methodology developed for the construction of an urban-energy diagnosis aimed to assess alternative scenarios: An intra-urban approach to foster cities’ sustainability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 751-778.
    7. Leticia Karine Sanches Brito & Maria Elisa Leite Costa & Sergio Koide, 2020. "Assessment of the Impact of Residential Urban Patterns of Different Hillslopes on Urban Drainage Systems and Ecosystem Services in the Federal District, Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-21, July.
    8. Mohajeri, Nahid & Perera, A.T.D. & Coccolo, Silvia & Mosca, Lucas & Le Guen, Morgane & Scartezzini, Jean-Louis, 2019. "Integrating urban form and distributed energy systems: Assessment of sustainable development scenarios for a Swiss village to 2050," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 810-826.
    9. Muhammad Umar & Farzan Yahya & Amad Rashid, 2025. "Climate risk and loan pricing: the moderating role of trilemma policy choices," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 1-40, August.
    10. Jie Zheng & Yihan Ma & Wei Zhang & Yan Jiao & Tiantian Du & Jizhe Han & Yukun Zhang, 2025. "Evidence-Based Optimization of Urban Block Morphology for Enhanced Photovoltaic Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-29, September.
    11. Shiyi Song & Hong Leng & Han Xu & Ran Guo & Yan Zhao, 2020. "Impact of Urban Morphology and Climate on Heating Energy Consumption of Buildings in Severe Cold Regions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-24, November.
    12. Herzer, Dierk, 2025. "The impact of FDI- and import-related technology spillovers from government-funded green energy R&D in developed countries on CO2 emissions in developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    13. Addey, Kwame Asiam & Nganje, William, 2024. "Climate policy volatility hinders renewable energy consumption: Evidence from yardstick competition theory," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    14. Panagiotis Moraitis & Bala Bhavya Kausika & Nick Nortier & Wilfried Van Sark, 2018. "Urban Environment and Solar PV Performance: The Case of the Netherlands," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-14, May.
    15. Antonio Barragán-Escandón & Julio Terrados-Cepeda & Esteban Zalamea-León, 2017. "The Role of Renewable Energy in the Promotion of Circular Urban Metabolism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-29, December.
    16. Jo, J.H. & Aldeman, M.R. & Loomis, D.G., 2018. "Optimum penetration of regional utility-scale renewable energy systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 328-334.
    17. Zhang, Chen & Li, Zhixin & Jiang, Haihua & Luo, Yongqiang & Xu, Shen, 2021. "Deep learning method for evaluating photovoltaic potential of urban land-use: A case study of Wuhan, China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    18. Ning Li & Zhechen Peng & Jian Dai & Ziwei Li, 2022. "Performance-Oriented Passive Design Strategies for Shape and Envelope Structure of Independent Residential Buildings in Yangtze River Delta Suburbs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-18, April.
    19. Dimitra Tsirigoti & Katerina Tsikaloudaki, 2018. "The Effect of Climate Conditions on the Relation between Energy Efficiency and Urban Form," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-29, March.
    20. Mohajeri, Nahid & Upadhyay, Govinda & Gudmundsson, Agust & Assouline, Dan & Kämpf, Jérôme & Scartezzini, Jean-Louis, 2016. "Effects of urban compactness on solar energy potential," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 469-482.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12975-:d:1227231. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.