Solar energy digitalization at high latitudes: A model chain combining solar irradiation models, a LiDAR scanner, and high-detail 3D building model

Abstract

Solar mapping can contribute to exploiting more efficiently the solar energy potential in cities. Solar maps and 3D solar cadasters consist of visualization tools for solar irradiation analysis on urban surfaces (i.e., orography, roofs, and façades). Recent advancements in solar decomposition and transposition modeling and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanning enable high levels of detail in 3D solar cadasters, in which the façade domain is considered beside the roof. In this study, a model chain to estimate solar irradiation impinging on surfaces with different orientations at high latitudes is developed and validated against experimental data. The case study is the Zero Emission Building Laboratory in Trondheim (Norway). The main stages of the workflow concern (1) data acquisition, (2) geometry detection, (3) solar radiation modeling, (4) data quality check, and (5) experimental validation. Data are recorded from seven pyranometers installed on the façades (4), roof (2), and pergola (1) and used to validate the Radiance-based numerical model over the period between June 21st and September 21st. This study investigates to which extent high-resolution data sources for both solar radiation and geometry are suitable to estimate global tilted irradiation at high latitudes. In general, the Radiance-based model is found to overestimate solar irradiation. Nonetheless, the hourly solar irradiation modeled for the two pyranometers installed on the roof has been experimentally validated in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 14. When monthly outcomes are considered for validation, the east and the south pyranometers are validated as well. The achieved results build the ground for the further development of the 3D solar cadaster of Trondheim.

Large-Scale Solar Potential Analysis as a Use Case of Urban Digital Twins

“…Therefore, the Earth's surface solar radiation is now commonly estimated using satellite data for the reasons mentioned above [33]. In some cases, TMY data can be modified to obtain more precise values of solar radiation [13,28] according to local measurements.…”

“…Besides rooftops, façade surfaces can also be estimated for solar potential [10][11][12]. At high latitudes, building façades are characterized by solar potential comparable to that of rooftops during the transitional seasons [13,14]. 3D city models support the assessment of solar potential in 3D space, enabling more accurate and visually clear simulations [15][16][17].…”

A Methodology to Improve Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Urban Environments

“…Additionally, the solar potential was calculated for both the application of a simplified model and a more detailed model, allowing for a comparison of results (Figure 11). To avoid the problem related to the extreme simplification of the data, the proposed strategy was to find some correction coefficients that, when multiplied with the simplified input, can return a result very close to the solar potential calculated in a detailed model [43]. The formulated equation establishes a correlation between the real solar potential (SP s ) and the simplified solar potential (SP r ).…”

Fourteen months operation of a 200 kWh latent heat storage pilot

“…The building was designed to compensate for the emissions from the construction process, embodied material emissions, and energy use for operation and equipment by renewable energy production (With PV panels) on site after 60 years of operation [3]. The ZEB laboratory has PV panels with a peak capacity of 184 kW, two 15 kW heat pumps, 200 kWh LHS, and is connected to district heating [4]. It is a living laboratory, where a total of 1171 data points are stored in a database server every 2 minutes, totaling an estimated 350 million data points over 14 months of operation.…”