Assessment of photovoltaic potential in urban areas using open-source solar radiation tools

This study presents a methodology for the assessment of photovoltaic potential in urban areas using open-source solar radiation tools and a 3-D city model implemented in a geographic information system (GIS). The solar radiation tools are represented by the r.sun solar radiation model and PVGIS estimation utility. The applicability of the methodology has been demonstrated on a selected urban area of a small city in eastern Slovakia. The relevant attributes of buildings have been mapped and implemented in a GIS database. The selected urban area consists of various urban zones characterized by different morphology and functionality. The photovoltaic potential of buildings has been assessed using the PVGIS estimation utility. The analysis has shown a high photovoltaic potential that could cover about 2/3 of current electricity consumption in the city. However, this potential exhibits large spatial and temporal variations caused by global and local factors. This study has also shown that national assessments of photovoltaic potential can be improved by extrapolation of local assessments using spatial databases of urban areas.