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Measuring the solar potential of a city and its implications for energy policy

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  • Byrd, Hugh
  • Ho, Anna
  • Sharp, Basil
  • Kumar-Nair, Nirmal

Abstract

This research investigates the maximum potential energy that can be made available by efficiently installing photovoltaic (PV) systems on buildings throughout a city, from the central business district (CBD) out to low density suburbs. The purpose of this is to evaluate the contribution that electricity from PVs can make to reduce the electricity load of a city, supply the needs of a mixture of building types, reduce peak electricity demand and contribute towards the charging of electric vehicles (EVs). Having established the maximum potential, intermediate stages in PV penetration can be backcasted. The results indicate that low dense suburbia is not only the most efficient collector of solar energy but that enough excess electricity can be generated to power daily transport needs of suburbia and also contribute to peak daytime electrical loads in the city centre. This challenges conventional thinking that suburbia is energy inefficient. While a compact city may be more efficient for the internal combustion engine vehicles, a dispersed city is more efficient when distributed generation of electricity by PVs is the main energy source and EVs are the means of transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Byrd, Hugh & Ho, Anna & Sharp, Basil & Kumar-Nair, Nirmal, 2013. "Measuring the solar potential of a city and its implications for energy policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 944-952.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:61:y:2013:i:c:p:944-952
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.06.042
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sumita Ghosh & Robert Vale & Brenda Vale, 2006. "Domestic energy sustainability of different urban residential patterns: a New Zealand approach," International Journal of Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(1), pages 16-37.
    2. Duke, Mike & Andrews, Deborah & Anderson, Timothy, 2009. "The feasibility of long range battery electric cars in New Zealand," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 3455-3462, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ehsan Ahmadian & Chris Bingham & Amira Elnokaly & Behzad Sodagar & Ivan Verhaert, 2022. "Impact of Climate Change and Technological Innovation on the Energy Performance and Built form of Future Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Gholami, Mina Bahrami & Poletti, Stephen & Staffell, Iain, 2021. "Wind, rain, fire and sun: Towards zero carbon electricity for New Zealand," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    3. Shepero, Mahmoud & Munkhammar, Joakim, 2018. "Spatial Markov chain model for electric vehicle charging in cities using geographical information system (GIS) data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 1089-1099.
    4. Vecchi, Francesca & Berardi, Umberto, 2024. "Solar analysis for an urban context from GIS to block-scale evaluations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Good, Clara & Shepero, Mahmoud & Munkhammar, Joakim & Boström, Tobias, 2019. "Scenario-based modelling of the potential for solar energy charging of electric vehicles in two Scandinavian cities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 111-125.
    6. Verma, Piyush & Patel, Nitish & Nair, Nirmal-Kumar C. & Brent, Alan C., 2018. "Improving the energy efficiency of the New Zealand economy: A policy comparison with other renewable-rich countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 506-517.
    7. Shepero, Mahmoud & Munkhammar, Joakim & Widén, Joakim & Bishop, Justin D.K. & Boström, Tobias, 2018. "Modeling of photovoltaic power generation and electric vehicles charging on city-scale: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 61-71.
    8. Adil, Ali M. & Ko, Yekang, 2016. "Socio-technical evolution of Decentralized Energy Systems: A critical review and implications for urban planning and policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1025-1037.

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