IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i22p15988-d1281069.html

Solar Energy Utilization Potential in Urban Residential Blocks: A Case Study of Wuhan, China

Author

Listed:
  • Shiyu Jin

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Hui Zhang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
    College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117566, Singapore)

  • Xiaoxi Huang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Junle Yan

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Haibo Yu

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Ningcheng Gao

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Xueying Jia

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Zhengwei Wang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

Abstract

In dense, energy-demanding urban areas, the effective utilization of solar energy resources, encompassing building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and solar water heating (SWH) systems inside buildings, holds paramount importance for addressing concerns related to carbon emission reduction and the balance of energy supply and demand. This study aimed to examine the interplay between urban residential blocks and their solar energy potential, with the objective of promoting environmentally sustainable development within urban residential areas. The primary focus of this study was the hot summer and cold winter zone of China, which serves as a representative case study. Methodologically, we employed Rhinoceros and Grasshopper (GH) software version GH6.0 tools to simulate the solar radiation potential within residential blocks and translated this information into the potential utilization of BIPV and SWH systems. Subsequently, our focus was directed towards identifying optimal locations for mounting BIPV modules and water heaters on roofs and building façades. The study results revealed the following: (1) The floor area ratio (FAR), building density (BD), average building height (ABH), and space layout (SL) exerted substantial influences on the solar potential of a residential block, with correlations of up to 75%, 71%, 78%, and 50%, respectively, concerning the overall solar potential of the entire plot. (2) It is essential to emphasize that, with regard to the BIPV installation potential, façades account for 80% of the overall residential block potential, whereas rooftops contribute only 20%. Both south- and west-facing façades exhibited a BIPV installation ratio of approximately 34%. (3) In the realm of solar water heating, the potential for installations on building façades accounted for 77% of the total living area of the residential blocks, 23% on the rooftops, and 35% on the south-facing façades. This study furnishes practical guidelines for harnessing the potential of BIPV and SWH systems within residential blocks, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable urban development practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Shiyu Jin & Hui Zhang & Xiaoxi Huang & Junle Yan & Haibo Yu & Ningcheng Gao & Xueying Jia & Zhengwei Wang, 2023. "Solar Energy Utilization Potential in Urban Residential Blocks: A Case Study of Wuhan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-34, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:15988-:d:1281069
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15988/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15988/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Freitas, Jader de Sousa & Cronemberger, Joára & Soares, Raí Mariano & Amorim, Cláudia Naves David, 2020. "Modeling and assessing BIPV envelopes using parametric Rhinoceros plugins Grasshopper and Ladybug," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1468-1479.
    2. Huang, Zhaojian & Mendis, Thushini & Xu, Shen, 2019. "Urban solar utilization potential mapping via deep learning technology: A case study of Wuhan, China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 283-291.
    3. Mendis, Thushini & Huang, Zhaojian & Xu, Shen & Zhang, Weirong, 2020. "Economic potential analysis of photovoltaic integrated shading strategies on commercial building facades in urban blocks: A case study of Colombo, Sri Lanka," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    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. Drozd, Paweł & Kapica, Jacek & Jurasz, Jakub & Dąbek, Paweł, 2025. "Evaluating cities' solar potential using geographic information systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

    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. Firoozzadeh, Mohammad & Shiravi, Amir Hossein & Lotfi, Marzieh & Aidarova, Saule & Sharipova, Altynay, 2021. "Optimum concentration of carbon black aqueous nanofluid as coolant of photovoltaic modules: A case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    2. Tian, Shuai & Yang, Guoqiang & Du, Sihong & Zhuang, Dian & Zhu, Ke & Zhou, Xin & Jin, Xing & Ye, Yu & Li, Peixian & Shi, Xing, 2024. "An innovative method for evaluating the urban roof photovoltaic potential based on open-source satellite images," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    3. Zhang, Yuhu & Ren, Jing & Pu, Yanru & Wang, Peng, 2020. "Solar energy potential assessment: A framework to integrate geographic, technological, and economic indices for a potential analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 577-586.
    4. Jianhua Ding & Xinyi Zou & Murong Lv, 2023. "Influence of Opposing Exterior Window Geometry on the Carbon Emissions of Indoor Lighting under the Combined Effect of Natural Lighting and Artificial Lighting in the City of Shenyang, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Weifan Long & Xiaofei Chen & Qingsong Ma & Xindong Wei & Qiao Xi, 2022. "An Evaluation of the PV Integrated Dynamic Overhangs Based on Parametric Performance Design Method: A Case Study of a Student Apartment in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Federico Minelli & Diana D’Agostino & Maria Migliozzi & Francesco Minichiello & Pierpaolo D’Agostino, 2023. "PhloVer: A Modular and Integrated Tracking Photovoltaic Shading Device for Sustainable Large Urban Spaces—Preliminary Study and Prototyping," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-35, August.
    7. Zhou, Jingfeng & Fang, Zigeng & Yin, Ge & Chen, Jiying & Zhou, Xiaochi & Jing, Rui & Wang, Meng, 2025. "Automated roof segmentation for assessing urban scale energy performance and indoor thermal environment of photovoltaic and green roofs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    8. Ferahtia, Seydali & Djeroui, Ali & Rezk, Hegazy & Houari, Azeddine & Zeghlache, Samir & Machmoum, Mohamed, 2022. "Optimal control and implementation of energy management strategy for a DC microgrid," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    9. Mao, Hongzhi & Chen, Xie & Luo, Yongqiang & Deng, Jie & Tian, Zhiyong & Yu, Jinghua & Xiao, Yimin & Fan, Jianhua, 2023. "Advances and prospects on estimating solar photovoltaic installation capacity and potential based on satellite and aerial images," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    10. 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).
    11. Jiang, Mingkun & Qi, Lingfei & Yu, Ziyi & Wu, Dadi & Si, Pengfei & Li, Peiran & Wei, Wendong & Yu, Xinhai & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "National level assessment of using existing airport infrastructures for photovoltaic deployment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    12. Weerasinghe, R.P.N.P. & Yang, R.J. & Wakefield, R. & Too, E. & Le, T. & Corkish, R. & Chen, S. & Wang, C., 2021. "Economic viability of building integrated photovoltaics: A review of forty-five (45) non-domestic buildings in twelve (12) western countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    13. Dalibor Dobrilovic & Jasmina Pekez & Eleonora Desnica & Ljiljana Radovanovic & Ivan Palinkas & Milica Mazalica & Luka Djordjević & Sinisa Mihajlovic, 2023. "Data Acquisition for Estimating Energy-Efficient Solar-Powered Sensor Node Performance for Usage in Industrial IoT," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.
    14. Özdemir, Samed & Yavuzdoğan, Ahmet & Bilgilioğlu, Burhan Baha & Akbulut, Zeynep, 2023. "SPAN: An open-source plugin for photovoltaic potential estimation of individual roof segments using point cloud data," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    15. Bai, Li & Fang, Shishuang & Chi, Yaodan & Geng, Xinshuai, 2025. "Placement optimization of flexible thin-film solar panels on the pool surface of an urban municipal water plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    16. 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).
    17. Zhong, Teng & Zhang, Zhixin & Chen, Min & Zhang, Kai & Zhou, Zixuan & Zhu, Rui & Wang, Yijie & Lü, Guonian & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "A city-scale estimation of rooftop solar photovoltaic potential based on deep learning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    18. Kobashi, Takuro & Choi, Younghun & Hirano, Yujiro & Yamagata, Yoshiki & Say, Kelvin, 2022. "Rapid rise of decarbonization potentials of photovoltaics plus electric vehicles in residential houses over commercial districts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    19. Wenbo Cui & Xiangang Peng & Jinhao Yang & Haoliang Yuan & Loi Lei Lai, 2023. "Evaluation of Rooftop Photovoltaic Power Generation Potential Based on Deep Learning and High-Definition Map Image," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    20. Li, Qingyu & Krapf, Sebastian & Mou, Lichao & Shi, Yilei & Zhu, Xiao Xiang, 2024. "Deep learning-based framework for city-scale rooftop solar potential estimation by considering roof superstructures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).

    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:22:p:15988-:d:1281069. 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 The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (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.