Methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops for photovoltaic systems

Jeffrey B. Kodysh; Olufemi A. Omitaomu; Budhendra L. Bhaduri; Bradley S. Neish

doi:10.1016/j.scs.2013.01.002

Methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops for photovoltaic systems

Jeffrey B. Kodysh, Olufemi A. Omitaomu, Budhendra L. Bhaduri, Bradley S. Neish

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, a methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops is presented. The objective of this methodology is to estimate the daily or monthly solar energy on individual buildings in a city/region using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and a geographic information system (GIS) approach. Conceptually, the methodology is based on the upward-looking hemispherical viewshed algorithm, but applied using an area-based modeling approach. The methodology considers input parameters, such as surface orientation, shadowing effect, elevation, and atmospheric conditions that influence solar intensity on the earth surface. The methodology has been implemented for some 212,000 buildings in Knox County, Tennessee, USA. Based on the results obtained, the methodology seems to be adequate for estimating solar radiation on multiple building rooftops. The use of LiDAR data improves the radiation potential estimates in terms of the model predictive error and the spatial pattern of the model outputs. This methodology could help cities/regions interested in sustainable projects to quickly identify buildings with higher potentials for roof-mounted photovoltaic systems.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	31-41
Number of pages	11
Journal	Sustainable Cities and Society
Volume	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2013.01.002
State	Published - Oct 2013

Funding

This manuscript is authored by employees of UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. Accordingly, the United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.

Funders	Funder number
U.S. Department of Energy

Keywords

GIS
Hemispherical viewsheds
Irradiation
LiDAR
Photovoltaic system
Solar radiation

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.scs.2013.01.002

Cite this

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title = "Methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops for photovoltaic systems",

abstract = "In this paper, a methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops is presented. The objective of this methodology is to estimate the daily or monthly solar energy on individual buildings in a city/region using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and a geographic information system (GIS) approach. Conceptually, the methodology is based on the upward-looking hemispherical viewshed algorithm, but applied using an area-based modeling approach. The methodology considers input parameters, such as surface orientation, shadowing effect, elevation, and atmospheric conditions that influence solar intensity on the earth surface. The methodology has been implemented for some 212,000 buildings in Knox County, Tennessee, USA. Based on the results obtained, the methodology seems to be adequate for estimating solar radiation on multiple building rooftops. The use of LiDAR data improves the radiation potential estimates in terms of the model predictive error and the spatial pattern of the model outputs. This methodology could help cities/regions interested in sustainable projects to quickly identify buildings with higher potentials for roof-mounted photovoltaic systems.",

keywords = "GIS, Hemispherical viewsheds, Irradiation, LiDAR, Photovoltaic system, Solar radiation",

author = "Kodysh, {Jeffrey B.} and Omitaomu, {Olufemi A.} and Bhaduri, {Budhendra L.} and Neish, {Bradley S.}",

year = "2013",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1016/j.scs.2013.01.002",

language = "English",

volume = "8",

pages = "31--41",

journal = "Sustainable Cities and Society",

issn = "2210-6707",

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AU - Kodysh, Jeffrey B.

AU - Omitaomu, Olufemi A.

AU - Bhaduri, Budhendra L.

AU - Neish, Bradley S.

PY - 2013/10

Y1 - 2013/10

N2 - In this paper, a methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops is presented. The objective of this methodology is to estimate the daily or monthly solar energy on individual buildings in a city/region using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and a geographic information system (GIS) approach. Conceptually, the methodology is based on the upward-looking hemispherical viewshed algorithm, but applied using an area-based modeling approach. The methodology considers input parameters, such as surface orientation, shadowing effect, elevation, and atmospheric conditions that influence solar intensity on the earth surface. The methodology has been implemented for some 212,000 buildings in Knox County, Tennessee, USA. Based on the results obtained, the methodology seems to be adequate for estimating solar radiation on multiple building rooftops. The use of LiDAR data improves the radiation potential estimates in terms of the model predictive error and the spatial pattern of the model outputs. This methodology could help cities/regions interested in sustainable projects to quickly identify buildings with higher potentials for roof-mounted photovoltaic systems.

AB - In this paper, a methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops is presented. The objective of this methodology is to estimate the daily or monthly solar energy on individual buildings in a city/region using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and a geographic information system (GIS) approach. Conceptually, the methodology is based on the upward-looking hemispherical viewshed algorithm, but applied using an area-based modeling approach. The methodology considers input parameters, such as surface orientation, shadowing effect, elevation, and atmospheric conditions that influence solar intensity on the earth surface. The methodology has been implemented for some 212,000 buildings in Knox County, Tennessee, USA. Based on the results obtained, the methodology seems to be adequate for estimating solar radiation on multiple building rooftops. The use of LiDAR data improves the radiation potential estimates in terms of the model predictive error and the spatial pattern of the model outputs. This methodology could help cities/regions interested in sustainable projects to quickly identify buildings with higher potentials for roof-mounted photovoltaic systems.

KW - GIS

KW - Hemispherical viewsheds

KW - Irradiation

KW - LiDAR

KW - Photovoltaic system

KW - Solar radiation

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DO - 10.1016/j.scs.2013.01.002

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SN - 2210-6707

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EP - 41

JO - Sustainable Cities and Society

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ER -

Methodology for estimating solar potential on multiple building rooftops for photovoltaic systems

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

UN SDGs

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