A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale
Rapid and uncontrolled urbanization is continuously increasing buildings’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In this scenario, solar energy integrated into the built environment can play an important role in optimizing the use of renewable energy sources o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-09-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/18/3554 |
| _version_ | 1811185034762125312 |
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| author | Gabriele Lobaccaro Malgorzata Maria Lisowska Erika Saretta Pierluigi Bonomo Francesco Frontini |
| author_facet | Gabriele Lobaccaro Malgorzata Maria Lisowska Erika Saretta Pierluigi Bonomo Francesco Frontini |
| author_sort | Gabriele Lobaccaro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rapid and uncontrolled urbanization is continuously increasing buildings’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In this scenario, solar energy integrated into the built environment can play an important role in optimizing the use of renewable energy sources on urban surfaces. Preliminary solar analyses to map the solar accessibility and solar potential of building surfaces (roofs and façades) should become a common practice among urban planners, architects, and public authorities. This paper presents an approach to support urban actors to assess solar energy potential at the neighborhood scale and to address the use of solar energy by considering overshadowing effects and solar inter-building reflections in accordance with urban morphology and building characteristics. The approach starts with urban analysis and solar irradiation analysis to elaborate solar mapping of façades and roofs. Data processing allows assessment of the solar potential of the whole case study neighborhood of Sluppen in Trondheim (Norway) by localizing the most radiated parts of buildings’ surfaces. Reduction factors defined by a new method are used to estimate the final solar potential considering shadowing caused by the presence of buildings’ architectural elements (e.g., glazed surfaces, balconies, external staircases, projections) and self-shading. Finally, rough estimation of solar energy generation is assessed by providing preliminary recommendations for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems suited to local conditions. Results show that depending on urban morphology and buildings’ shapes, PV systems can cover more than 40% of the total buildings’ energy needs in Trondheim. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:22:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e0697bc8430489b86355f95eb610ad4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:22:18Z |
| publishDate | 2019-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e0697bc8430489b86355f95eb610ad42022-12-22T04:22:10ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732019-09-011218355410.3390/en12183554en12183554A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood ScaleGabriele Lobaccaro0Malgorzata Maria Lisowska1Erika Saretta2Pierluigi Bonomo3Francesco Frontini4Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayISAAC-SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH 6952 Canobbio, SwitzerlandISAAC-SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH 6952 Canobbio, SwitzerlandISAAC-SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH 6952 Canobbio, SwitzerlandRapid and uncontrolled urbanization is continuously increasing buildings’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In this scenario, solar energy integrated into the built environment can play an important role in optimizing the use of renewable energy sources on urban surfaces. Preliminary solar analyses to map the solar accessibility and solar potential of building surfaces (roofs and façades) should become a common practice among urban planners, architects, and public authorities. This paper presents an approach to support urban actors to assess solar energy potential at the neighborhood scale and to address the use of solar energy by considering overshadowing effects and solar inter-building reflections in accordance with urban morphology and building characteristics. The approach starts with urban analysis and solar irradiation analysis to elaborate solar mapping of façades and roofs. Data processing allows assessment of the solar potential of the whole case study neighborhood of Sluppen in Trondheim (Norway) by localizing the most radiated parts of buildings’ surfaces. Reduction factors defined by a new method are used to estimate the final solar potential considering shadowing caused by the presence of buildings’ architectural elements (e.g., glazed surfaces, balconies, external staircases, projections) and self-shading. Finally, rough estimation of solar energy generation is assessed by providing preliminary recommendations for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems suited to local conditions. Results show that depending on urban morphology and buildings’ shapes, PV systems can cover more than 40% of the total buildings’ energy needs in Trondheim.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/18/3554solar energysolar potential mappingsolar neighborhood planningBIPVBAPV |
| spellingShingle | Gabriele Lobaccaro Malgorzata Maria Lisowska Erika Saretta Pierluigi Bonomo Francesco Frontini A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale Energies solar energy solar potential mapping solar neighborhood planning BIPV BAPV |
| title | A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale |
| title_full | A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale |
| title_fullStr | A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale |
| title_short | A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale |
| title_sort | methodological analysis approach to assess solar energy potential at the neighborhood scale |
| topic | solar energy solar potential mapping solar neighborhood planning BIPV BAPV |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/18/3554 |
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