A simplified skyline-based method for estimating the annual solar energy potential in urban environments

Journal article (2019)

Authors

A. Calcabrini Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
H. Ziar Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
O. Isabella Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
M. Zeman Electrical Sustainable Energy
Research Group
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2019 A. Calcabrini, H. Ziar, O. Isabella, M. Zeman
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-018-0318-6
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Published Date

2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Electrical Sustainable Energy

Research Group

Photovoltaic Materials and Devices

Abstract

Architects, engineers and urban planners have today at their disposal several tools for simulating the energy yield of photovoltaic systems. These tools are based on mathematical models that perform repetitive calculations to determine the annual irradiation received by solar panels; hence when photovoltaic systems are installed in complex urban environments, the simulations become highly computationally demanding. Here we present a simplified and yet accurate model for the direct calculation of the annual irradiation and energy yield of photovoltaic systems in urban environments. Our model is based on the correlation between the solar radiation components and the shape of the skyline profile. We show how calculations can be simplified by quantifying the skyline using two indicators: the sky view factor and the sun coverage factor. Model performance is evaluated in different climates using measured data from different photovoltaic systems. Results indicate that the proposed model significantly reduces the required computation time while preserving a high estimation accuracy.