IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v150y2020icp1-11.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Spatial layout optimization for solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installation

Author

Listed:
  • Zhong, Qing
  • Tong, Daoqin

Abstract

The worldwide growing demand for energy has imposed much pressure on energy supply and the environment. Solar energy, as one of the clean and renewable resources, provides a great potential for helping to meet the growing energy demand and reduce the environmental impacts. How to make the best use of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system has received much attention in recent years. Integrating geographic information systems (GIS), this paper proposes a new spatial optimization problem, the maximal PV panel coverage problem (MPPCP), for solar PV panel layout design. Suitable installation areas are first delineated in GIS. Then the MPPCP is used to identify the best spatial configurations of multiple PV panels. Different orientations and alignment scenarios are incorporated in the model to account for installation constraints while achieving the goal of maximal energy production. The new problem is applied to locate solar PV arrays on a rooftop with limited suitable installation areas. Results show that flexible panel alignments increase the maximal energy production by up to 6%. Model performance and computational efficiency are discussed. The research provides important insights into the spatial layout design of solar PV panels at various scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhong, Qing & Tong, Daoqin, 2020. "Spatial layout optimization for solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 1-11.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:150:y:2020:i:c:p:1-11
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.12.099
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148119319718
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2019.12.099?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alan T. Murray & Morton E. O'Kelly, 2002. "Assessing representation error in point-based coverage modeling," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 171-191, June.
    2. Tony Grubesic & Ran Wei & Alan Murray & Fangwu Wei, 2016. "Essential Air Service in the United States," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 39(1), pages 108-130, January.
    3. Murawski, Lisa & Church, Richard L., 2009. "Improving accessibility to rural health services: The maximal covering network improvement problem," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 102-110, June.
    4. Janke, Jason R., 2010. "Multicriteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 2228-2234.
    5. Al-Mohamad, Ali, 2004. "Efficiency improvements of photo-voltaic panels using a Sun-tracking system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 79(3), pages 345-354, November.
    6. Benghanem, M., 2011. "Optimization of tilt angle for solar panel: Case study for Madinah, Saudi Arabia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 1427-1433, April.
    7. Chang, Tian Pau, 2009. "The gain of single-axis tracked panel according to extraterrestrial radiation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(7-8), pages 1074-1079, July.
    8. Lubitz, William David, 2011. "Effect of manual tilt adjustments on incident irradiance on fixed and tracking solar panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1710-1719, May.
    9. Nsengiyumva, Walter & Chen, Shi Guo & Hu, Lihua & Chen, Xueyong, 2018. "Recent advancements and challenges in Solar Tracking Systems (STS): A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 250-279.
    10. Rowlands, Ian H. & Kemery, Briana Paige & Beausoleil-Morrison, Ian, 2011. "Optimal solar-PV tilt angle and azimuth: An Ontario (Canada) case-study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1397-1409, March.
    11. Kucuksari, Sadik & Khaleghi, Amirreza M. & Hamidi, Maryam & Zhang, Ye & Szidarovszky, Ferenc & Bayraksan, Guzin & Son, Young-Jun, 2014. "An Integrated GIS, optimization and simulation framework for optimal PV size and location in campus area environments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1601-1613.
    12. Hofierka, Jaroslav & Kaňuk, Ján, 2009. "Assessment of photovoltaic potential in urban areas using open-source solar radiation tools," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2206-2214.
    13. Maatallah, Taher & El Alimi, Souheil & Nassrallah, Sassi Ben, 2011. "Performance modeling and investigation of fixed, single and dual-axis tracking photovoltaic panel in Monastir city, Tunisia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 4053-4066.
    14. Hartner, Michael & Ortner, André & Hiesl, Albert & Haas, Reinhard, 2015. "East to west – The optimal tilt angle and orientation of photovoltaic panels from an electricity system perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 94-107.
    15. AL-Rousan, Nadia & Isa, Nor Ashidi Mat & Desa, Mohd Khairunaz Mat, 2018. "Advances in solar photovoltaic tracking systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2548-2569.
    16. Yilmaz, Saban & Ozcalik, Hasan Riza & Kesler, Selami & Dincer, Furkan & Yelmen, Bekir, 2015. "The analysis of different PV power systems for the determination of optimal PV panels and system installation—A case study in Kahramanmaras, Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1015-1024.
    17. Kuby, Michael & Lim, Seow, 2005. "The flow-refueling location problem for alternative-fuel vehicles," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 125-145, June.
    18. Hafez, A.Z. & Soliman, A. & El-Metwally, K.A. & Ismail, I.M., 2017. "Tilt and azimuth angles in solar energy applications – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 147-168.
    19. Başoğlu, Mustafa E. & Kazdaloğlu, Abdulvehhap & Erfidan, Tarık & Bilgin, Mehmet Z. & Çakır, Bekir, 2015. "Performance analyzes of different photovoltaic module technologies under İzmit, Kocaeli climatic conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 357-365.
    20. Daoqin Tong & Alan T. Murray, 2009. "Maximising coverage of spatial demand for service," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 88(1), pages 85-97, March.
    21. Alexandris, George & Giannikos, Ioannis, 2010. "A new model for maximal coverage exploiting GIS capabilities," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 202(2), pages 328-338, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sairam, Seshapalli & Seshadhri, Subathra & Marafioti, Giancarlo & Srinivasan, Seshadhri & Mathisen, Geir & Bekiroglu, Korkut, 2022. "Edge-based Explainable Fault Detection Systems for photovoltaic panels on edge nodes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 1425-1440.
    2. Zhong, Qing & Nelson, Jake R. & Tong, Daoqin & Grubesic, Tony H., 2022. "A spatial optimization approach to increase the accuracy of rooftop solar energy assessments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    3. Nima Narjabadifam & Mohammed Al-Saffar & Yongquan Zhang & Joseph Nofech & Asdrubal Cheng Cen & Hadia Awad & Michael Versteege & Mustafa Gül, 2022. "Framework for Mapping and Optimizing the Solar Rooftop Potential of Buildings in Urban Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-32, February.
    4. Jordan Higgins & Aditya Ramnarayan & Roxana Family & Michael Ohadi, 2024. "Analysis of Energy Efficiency Opportunities for a Public Transportation Maintenance Facility—A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Alharbi, Abdulaziz & Awwad, Zeyad & Habib, Abdulelah & de Weck, Olivier, 2023. "Economical sizing and multi-azimuth layout optimization of grid-connected rooftop photovoltaic systems using Mixed-Integer Programming," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    6. Li, Yanjiao & Qing, Chen & Guo, Shili & Deng, Xin & Song, Jiahao & Xu, Dingde, 2023. "When my friends and relatives go solar, should I go solar too? —— Evidence from rural Sichuan province, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 753-762.
    7. Sungha Yoon & Jintae Park & Chaeyoung Lee & Sangkwon Kim & Yongho Choi & Soobin Kwak & Hyundong Kim & Junseok Kim, 2023. "Optimal Orientation of Solar Panels for Multi-Apartment Buildings," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Wenyang Han & Yan Bai & Miao Du & Yujie Tao & Yin Zhang & Qianru Yang, 2024. "Optimizing Solar Heating for Thangka Exhibition Halls: A Case Study in Malkang Cultural Village," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, April.
    9. Moon Keun Kim & Khalid Osman Abdulkadir & Jiying Liu & Joon-Ho Choi & Huiqing Wen, 2021. "Optimal Design Strategy of a Solar Reflector Combining Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Electricity Output: A Case Study in Calgary, Canada," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hafez, A.Z. & Soliman, A. & El-Metwally, K.A. & Ismail, I.M., 2017. "Tilt and azimuth angles in solar energy applications – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 147-168.
    2. Ran Wei, 2016. "Coverage Location Models," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 39(1), pages 48-76, January.
    3. Bahrami, Arian & Okoye, Chiemeka Onyeka & Atikol, Ugur, 2016. "The effect of latitude on the performance of different solar trackers in Europe and Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 896-906.
    4. Xuan Cuong Ngo & Thi Hong Nguyen & Nhu Y Do & Duc Minh Nguyen & Dai-Viet N. Vo & Su Shiung Lam & Doyeon Heo & Mohammadreza Shokouhimehr & Van-Huy Nguyen & Rajender S. Varma & Soo Young Kim & Quyet Van, 2020. "Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems with Single-Axis Sun Tracker: Case Study for Central Vietnam," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Alan T. Murray, 2016. "Maximal Coverage Location Problem," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 39(1), pages 5-27, January.
    6. Zhu, Yongqiang & Liu, Jiahao & Yang, Xiaohua, 2020. "Design and performance analysis of a solar tracking system with a novel single-axis tracking structure to maximize energy collection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    7. Chinchilla, Monica & Santos-Martín, David & Carpintero-Rentería, Miguel & Lemon, Scott, 2021. "Worldwide annual optimum tilt angle model for solar collectors and photovoltaic systems in the absence of site meteorological data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    8. Kafka, Jennifer & Miller, Mark A., 2020. "The dual angle solar harvest (DASH) method: An alternative method for organizing large solar panel arrays that optimizes incident solar energy in conjunction with land use," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 531-546.
    9. Dey, Sumon & Lakshmanan, Madan Kumar & Pesala, Bala, 2018. "Optimal solar tree design for increased flexibility in seasonal energy extraction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 1038-1048.
    10. Kaddoura, Tarek O. & Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Al-Turki, Yusuf A., 2016. "On the estimation of the optimum tilt angle of PV panel in Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 626-634.
    11. Gardashov, Rauf & Eminov, Murad & Kara, Gökhan & Emecen Kara, Esma Gül & Mammadov, Tural & Huseynova, Xedce, 2020. "The optimum daily direction of solar panels in the highlands, derived by an analytical method," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    12. Singh, Rajesh & Kumar, Suresh & Gehlot, Anita & Pachauri, Rupendra, 2018. "An imperative role of sun trackers in photovoltaic technology: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3263-3278.
    13. Gönül, Ömer & Yazar, Fatih & Duman, A. Can & Güler, Önder, 2022. "A comparative techno-economic assessment of manually adjustable tilt mechanisms and automatic solar trackers for behind-the-meter PV applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    14. Mohammadi, Kasra & Khorasanizadeh, Hossein, 2015. "A review of solar radiation on vertically mounted solar surfaces and proper azimuth angles in six Iranian major cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 504-518.
    15. Agrawal, Monika & Chhajed, Priyank & Chowdhury, Amartya, 2022. "Performance analysis of photovoltaic module with reflector: Optimizing orientation with different tilt scenarios," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 10-25.
    16. Okoye, Chiemeka Onyeka & Bahrami, Arian & Atikol, Ugur, 2018. "Evaluating the solar resource potential on different tracking surfaces in Nigeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1569-1581.
    17. Lubitz, William David, 2011. "Effect of manual tilt adjustments on incident irradiance on fixed and tracking solar panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1710-1719, May.
    18. Murray, Alan T. & Feng, Xin, 2016. "Public street lighting service standard assessment and achievement," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 14-22.
    19. Al Garni, Hassan Z. & Awasthi, Anjali & Wright, David, 2019. "Optimal orientation angles for maximizing energy yield for solar PV in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 538-550.
    20. Cruz-Peragón, Fernando & Casanova-Peláez, Pedro J. & Díaz, Francisco A. & López-García, Rafael & Palomar, José M., 2011. "An approach to evaluate the energy advantage of two axes solar tracking systems in Spain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 5131-5142.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:150:y:2020:i:c:p:1-11. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.