Design and implementation of a solar access database for optimizing parking of solar electric vehicles

As environmental concerns continue to grow, solar electric vehicles (SEVs) are increasingly recognized as a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of renewable energy. This study presents the development of an optimal parking environment for SEV charging through the construction of a Solar Access database covering 1388 parking bays at the Daeyeon Campus of Pukyong National University in Korea. The database was visualized using QGIS, and seasonal as well as time-specific variations in Solar Access were analyzed to identify optimal parking locations for different times of the year. In addition, a previously developed mobile application was enhanced to enable users to retrieve information on the most suitable parking space based on their intended parking duration, significantly improving its usability and accessibility. This system offers valuable insights not only for SEV users but also for general drivers, facilitating time-aware parking optimization and contributing foundational data for efficient parking lot planning and management.