A real scene 3D Model-Driven sunlight analysis method for complex building roofs

A real-scene 3D model of complex buildings, derived from UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) surveys, can significantly improve the accuracy of sunlight analysis for the arrangement of photovoltaic panels. We propose a method for sunlight analysis of complex building roofs driven by the real-scene 3D model, which includes generating and optimizing the 3D model and a parameterized sunlight analysis algorithm. The generation and optimization method involves: reducing the number of model meshes by selecting a lower level of detail and proposing a mesh simplification algorithm to simplify the model; reconstructing the structure of the model meshes to smooth them and solve the pseudo-occlusion problems caused by the model’s triangular structures by transforming triangular meshes into quadrilateral meshes; improving the accuracy of the obstacles’ 3D models on the roof by completing high-precision obstacle modeling and superimposing it on the simplified model. Subsequently, a parameterized sunlight analysis algorithm suited to the optimized 3D model is presented based on the Grasshopper parameterized software platform. We design a complete set of sunlight analysis algorithm programs by exploring the geographical location, time range, time step, and other parameters of the real-scene 3D model. Finally, the method’s feasibility is verified through a case study of a complex building.