TABLE 3 - uploaded by Jesse Dean
Content may be subject to copyright.
Source publication
As the demand for renewable energy has grown, so too has the need to quantify the potential for these resources. Understanding the potential for a particular energy source can help inform policy decisions, educate consumers, drive technological development, increase manufacturing capacity, and improve marketing methods. In response to the desire to...
Similar publications
The objective of this report is to elaborate on current and expected comparative
advantages of EU industries that produce low-carbon emitting products and to estimate whether there could be benefits for the EU economy from initiating ambitious adoption and development of clean energy technologies at a much faster pace than other countries. The indu...
In recent years, great attention has been given to the study of hydrokinetic turbines for power generation. Such importance is due to the use of clean energy technology by using renewable sources. Therefore, this work aims to present a relevant methodology for the efficient design of horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbines with variable rotational sp...
The hot carrier solar cell is a very promising clean energy technology, with the potential to achieve high conversion yields with constrained costs. Due to the hot carrier effect, the estimation of the achievable voltage needs some theoretical developments. The classical approach is to consider isentropic energy selective contacts, converting the e...
Thermoelectric generators are one type of clean energy technologies, capable of converting heat to electricity with no pollution discharge. However, the component elements of the traditional thermoelectric materials are usually rare or toxic. Silicon is non-toxic and abundant, but has too high a thermal conductivity for generation of a temperature...
Citations
... They are usually conceived as web-based mapping tools in which the solar potential is displayed as falsecolours overlays on 2D maps or ortho-photos of an urban area. Dean et al. (2009); Kanters et al. (2014) provide an extensive review of solar cadastres in Europe and United States. Although methods considering weather risk have been integrated in PV-array performance evaluation software (Dobos et al., 2012), to the best of our knowledge, evaluations included in solar cadastres are conducted using weather data from typical meteorological years (TMY), whose limitations have been described by Vignola et al. (2012). ...
... Solar cadastres focus on the potential of individual buildings, and in some cases differentiate the potential among the surfaces constituting the building envelope, while neglecting the aggregated potential of urban blocks or entire urban areas. They are targeted towards building owners, and often have an educational goal (Dean et al., 2009). They are sometimes used as back-end planning tools by municipalities, though mostly limited to the evaluation of their own real estate properties (Kanters et al., 2014). ...
Many municipalities and public authorities have supported the creation of solar cadastres to map the solar energy-generation potential of existing buildings. Despite advancements in modelling solar potential, most of these tools provide simple evaluations based on benchmarks, neglecting the effect of uncertain environmental conditions and that of the spatial aggregation of multiple buildings. We argue that including such information in the evaluation process can lead to more robust planning decisions and a fairer allocation of public subsidies. To this end, this paper presents a novel method to incorporate uncertainty in the evaluation of the solar electricity generation potential of existing buildings using a multi-scale approach. It also presents a technique to visualise the results through their integration in a 3D-mapping environment and the use of false-colour overlays at different scales. Using multiple simulation scenarios, the method is able to provide information about confidence intervals of summary statistics of production due to variation in two typical uncertain factors: vegetation and weather. The uncertainty in production introduced by these factors is taken into account through pairwise comparisons of nominal values of indicators, calculating a comprehensive ranking of the energy potential of different spatial locations and a corresponding solar score. The analysis is run at different scales, using space- and time-aggregated results, to provide results relevant to decision-makers.
... The availability of, and interest in web based solar (irradiance) and photovoltaic (PV) mapping tools at city and building surface scales has increased significantly over the past decade. The maps to date have primarily been developed to engage interest in PV and to educate the general public about its benefits and costs [1]. Since irradiance maps and PV output calculators for building surfaces enable remote PV site assessment, these tools have also generated a strong interest from installers within the solar community . ...
The standard mathematical approach used to calculate photovoltaic (PV) array spacing contains a number of assumptions that limits its use to PV arrays installed on horizontal surfaces. This paper utilises vector analysis to develop a new method to calculate array spacing and potential system size for any combination of PV array and surface tilt and orientation. This approach is validated by comparing the vector results with ray-tracing shadow visualisations utilising the Ecotect software package. The vector method is presented as an approach compatible with online solar/PV mapping tools after a review of the existing online tools indicated that rack mounted array functionalities were rarely included. The methodology is further demonstrated via results from the Australian PV Institute's (APVI's) Solar Potential Tool which utilises the array spacing method presented. This paper also applies the methodology to a general analysis of array spacing and power density (installed capacity/unit area) for an optimally tilted equator facing array on roof surfaces of a variety of tilts and orientations.
... The availability of solar energy data is becoming greater and gradually the number of cities that allow access to this information is increasing. In order to have querying platforms for people and also a useful tool for administrators and companies to support the decision making [78], there have been developed web applications. These services display a specific area of the urban environment to calculate the solar potential in the selected location. ...
The precise knowledge of the capacity to produce energy from renewable resources requires an adequate study to determine the spatial dimension of the territory. The aim of this paper is to present diverse procedures for the solar potential analysis in urban environments. Models and tools, based on the implementation of geo-information technologies and airborne remote sensing data, have been developed considering a certain level of complexity, where urban structure is composed of different areas characterized by their morphology and function. Before any analysis, establish the available information and define the three-dimensional modeling of the urban environment are the first actions. In addition, techniques for the treatment of data and assess the parameters needed to define the optimal location of solar systems for energy generation, are taken into account. Besides, there is a description of some web services developed to show the results and finally, the advances which may improve the precision and increase the detail degree in these studies.
... Solar maps should be user-friendly, instructing the user about the benefits of solar PV and its associated costs, and corresponding savings. Surveys and reviews of solar maps existing in the US can be found in [11,90]. The most relevant and state of the art examples are briefly described below. ...
Cityscapes provide a complex environment, where solar radiation is unevenly distributed, especially since urban features started to propagate more and more vertically. Due to the dynamic overshadowing effects present on building surfaces, quantifying these phenomena is essential for predicting reductions in solar radiation availability that can significantly affect potential for solar energy use. Numerical radiation algorithms coupled with GIS tools are a pathway to evaluate those complex effects. Accurate representation of the terrain, vegetation canopy and building structures allows better estimation of shadow patterns. Higher spatial and temporal resolutions deliver more detailed results, but models must compromise between accuracy and computation time. In this paper, models ranging from simple 2D visualization and solar constant methods, to more sophisticated 3D representation and analysis, are reviewed. Web-based solar maps, which rely on the previous features to successfully communicate the benefits of the solar resource to the public and support in the policy-making process, are also addressed.
... Several studies based on different approaches have developed models to assess solar resource at various scales: world [1], continent and nation [2, 3], region [4, 5], city and district [6][7][8][9][10][11]. An increasing number of solar mapping tools are arising, with different data type, resolution, calculation methods and mapping outputs [12]. These studies are mostly focalized on solar resource and PV potential assessment, but hardly on solar thermal potential, even if there are some researches taking place in this field [13,14]. ...
This paper presents a GIS-based methodology for assessing solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal potentials in urban environment. The consideration of spatial and temporal dimensions of energy resource and demand allows, for two different territories of the Geneva region, to determine the suitable building roof areas for solar installations, the solar irradiance on these areas and, finally, the electrical and/or thermal energy potentials related to the demand. Results show that the choice of combining PV and solar thermal for domestic hot water (DHW) is relevant in both territories. Actually, the installation of properly sized solar thermal collectors doesn’t decrease much the solar PV potential, while allowing significant thermal production. However, solar collectors for combined DHW and space heating (SH) require a much larger surface and, therefore, have a more important influence on the PV potential.
... The availability of and interest in web-based solar irradiation and photovoltaic (PV) mapping tools at city and building surface scales has increased significantly over the past decade. The maps to date have primarily been developed to expand interest in PV and to educate the general public about its benefits and costs [1]. Since irradiance maps and PV output calculators for building surfaces enable remote PV site assessment, these tools have also generated a strong interest from installers within the solar community. ...
The APVI Solar Potential Tool is an online tool for estimating the potential for electricity generation from PV on building roofs in Australian cities. The tool accounts for solar radiation and weather at the site; PV system area, tilt, orientation; and shading from nearby buildings and vegetation. This paper discusses the validation tests undertaken for design of the algorithms and selection of the software tools used in the development of the Australian PV Institute's (APVI) Solar Potential Tool. Three primary tests were undertaken investigating (1) the accuracy of APVI's Solar Potential Tool in comparison to measured outputs of AC power from PV systems with and without shading; (2) an analysis of the accuracy of NREL's System Advisor Model (SAM) in comparison to measured outputs of AC power for PV systems with and without shading; and (3) an analysis of the accuracy of ArcGIS's Solar Radiation tool to estimate insolation on shaded and unshaded surfaces. The validation tests revealed that (1) APVI's Solar Potential Tool is able to model the AC output of PV systems, capturing the effects of shading from surrounding buildings and vegetation, at both the monthly and annual levels; (2) NREL's SAM models the daily output of PV systems with a low level of uncertainty (< 4.5% when onsite measurements of irradiance are available) in addition to modelling the hourly impact of shading when used in conjunction with ArcGIS's Skyline or Area Solar Radiation tools; and (3) a linear correction can be applied to ArcGIS's estimates of insolation, resulting in a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.991 between the linear corrected ArcGIS results and insolation as reported by SAM.
... For better understanding of the geographic distribution and variability of PV potential, major research efforts toward the integration of solar energy simulation models with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) took place after the early 2000s, as a part of the European Commission, Joint Research Centre's effort to improve the analytical capabilities of GIS (PVGIS, 2011). In particular, this new trend towards the integration has been significantly accelerated in the US since the Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative started in 2008 to encourage the installation of distributed PV systems and to make solar electricity from PV systems cost competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015 through R&D and market transformation (Dean et al., 2009;Kandt et al., 2010). At present, many web-based GIS tools (see Table 1) are publicly available and widely used in various social groups. ...
This study presents a means to extend the functionality of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in assessing distributed photovoltaic (PV) potential in urban areas, via the new ArcGIS extension: PV Analyst. A methodology is proposed for coupling ArcGIS with TRNSYS that enables the PV Analyst extension to use the capabilities of 4 and 5-parameter PV array performance models and the irradiance components in TRNSYS for solar energy simulations in geospatial contexts. Because PV Analyst is embedded within the ArcMap environment, part of ArcGIS software package, the strong capabilities of ArcGIS and other ArcGIS extensions such as 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst and Tracking Analyst can be fully utilized with PV Analyst’s functionalities. This paper describes the concept and details of the extension development, as well as its application to the Pollock Commons area at the Pennsylvania State University.
Rising energy demands and net-zero targets have led to development and implementation of renewable technologies. Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panels offer a viable solution while minimising complex construction or excessive infrastructure development. However, critical physical factors influence building suitability to maximise cost-benefit requirements. This research adopted a Geographic Information System (GIS) approach to identify building suitability by analysing and comparing Digital Surface Models (DSM) derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and orthophotography data using UK standardised PV formulas. Geospatial workflows processed rooftop features and modelled outputs for solar irradiation, panel type, kWh, CO2, payback and costs while 3D models and solar web applications were used to validate results. Both models suggested a range of between 14.2 and 15.2 GWh potential for an installed capacity of between 21.1 and 22.3 MW. Residential models met between 62.1% (LiDAR) and 66.6% (orthophotography) of average consumer demand with PV potential exceeding 94% of residential dwellings. LiDAR and orthophotography models had strong agreement with existing PV installations. The methodology can be scaled to a regional level and expanded for larger PV capacity. Moreover, the process can assist policymakers with informed decisions on renewable technologies alongside developments such as Peer to Peer (P2P) solar trading.
Развитие возобновляемых источников энергии экономически и экологически оправдано на территориях децентрализованного энергоснабжения, так как позволяет заменить дизельную генерацию электроэнергии. Якутия, 64 % территории которой находится в зоне децентрализованного энергоснабжения, обладает высоким потенциалом для развития солнечной энергетики. При региональной инвентаризации больших объёмов многовременных данных о солнечных ресурсах полезны характерные особенности веб-картографирования — интерактивность, мультимасштабность, общедоступность.
Для Якутии выполняется веб картографирование суммарной солнечной радиации, приходящей на горизонтальную поверхность, с учётом облачности в день на квадратный метр. Этот показатель позволяет охарактеризовать потенциал ресурсов солнечной энергии на территории. Источником исходных данных является архив Surface meteorology and Solar Energy проекта NASA Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resource — SSE NASA POWER. Он содержит ежемесячные и среднегодовые глобальные сетки за каждый год с 1984 по 2018. Данные картографируются по узлам регулярной сетки, по муниципальным районам и по бассейнам рек. Пользователь может в интерактивном режиме задавать временной период с точностью до месяца и территориальное деление для составления карты. Всего созданное картографическое веб приложение позволяет создать порядка 50 000 веб карт по количеству вариантов запросов, доступных пользователю.
Большой объём данных для веб картографирования требует создания информационной системы для динамической поставки данных по запросам пользователей. Для эффективной динамической агрегации данных по различным территориальным единицам применяется оригинальный алгоритм предварительной обработки. Быстрота визуализации больших объёмов пространственных данных в браузере пользователя решается использованием картографической библиотеки DeckGL. Информационная система формируется на основе PostgreSQL и Flask.
Применение веб картографирования целесообразно для инвентаризации ресурсов солнечной энергии на региональном уровне. Оно позволяет углубить аналитическое содержание картографического произведения путём предоставления пользователю интерактивных инструментов работы с картой. Отличия в проектировании картографических веб приложений по сравнению с обычными картами проявляются в подготовке исходных данных для картографирования.
Localized assessment of solar energy economic feasibility will benefit the structuring of residential solar energy deployment globally. In the U.S. growing interest in rooftop residential solar among city managers has spurred the development of photovoltaic (PV) feasibility maps of the technical and economic solar potential within cities. The City of Brownsville, Texas was interested in evaluating solar feasibility for their city but lacked information to make informed policy decisions on PV development. This paper presents novel and systems approaches for determining the technical and economic feasibility of solar development for homes in the Brownsville using LiDAR and local information. Residential technical and economic potential was assessed by optimizing the internal rate of return (IRR) and an average residential building demand profile to determine ideal size and placement of solar arrays. Results showed that residential structures in Brownsville have the technical potential to generate approximately 11% of the total energy provided by the local utility; however, average IRR was only 2.9% with a payback period of over 15 years. Five neighborhoods in the City of Brownsville were identified with spatially clustered homes that had relatively higher IRRs compared with other areas in the city. Despite the high technical potential, modeled results indicate that perspective home owners interested in solar development may require additional incentives to improve the economic feasibility of PV in Brownsville. This study provides a demonstration of an interdisciplinary systems approach and methodology that can be adopted internationally to evaluate the feasibility of solar development in other areas.
