Evaluating solar photovoltaic potential of buildings based on the installation parameters of photovoltaic modules

Abstract

To slow global warming and meet the targets of the Paris Agreement, renewables grow rapidly in recent years. Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a sustainable energy source that can be applied to the roofs of urban buildings. Studies focused on estimating rooftop solar energy potential generally pays attention to the area available for solar PV installation and the total power generation. Limited research have considered specific layout of solar PV modules during the solar potential assessment. This paper introduces a novel method to evaluating solar PV potential on building rooftops, with a particular focus on how solar PV module installation affects the assessment process. Integrating detailed installation parameters of solar PV modules and building footprints, the method evaluates economic feasibility considering the payback time of solar PV module installation and improves the result accuracy of solar PV assessment by determining the optimal installation location of solar PV modules. A case study is conducted in Nanjing, China. Results indicate that 81.86 % of Nanjing’s total rooftop area is suitable for solar PV panel installation, which means about 28.87 TWh of electricity production per year. Compared to the research that does not consider the influence of solar PV module installation in solar PV potential evaluation process, the proposed method reduces the capacity overestimation by 13.08 %. The research quantifies the impact of solar PV module installation on solar PV potential assessment and provides valuable insights into the accurate spatial planning of urban solar systems.