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Assessment of Technical and Economic Potential of Urban Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Lithuania

Author

Listed:
  • Paulius Kozlovas

    (Department of Electrical Power Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaičio g. 73, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Saulius Gudzius

    (Department of Electrical Power Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaičio g. 73, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Jokubas Ciurlionis

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, 5612 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Audrius Jonaitis

    (Department of Electrical Power Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaičio g. 73, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Inga Konstantinaviciute

    (Department of Electrical Power Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaičio g. 73, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Laboratory of Energy Systems Research, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Viktorija Bobinaite

    (Laboratory of Energy Systems Research, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

This paper aimed at assessing the technical and economic potential of using rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Lithuanian urban areas to support energy and climate policy formation and its implementation in the country. A bottom-up approach was applied. A number of apartment (AP), commercial (COM) and public (PUB) buildings, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures and solar PV systems in the largest Lithuanian cities were analyzed, and the results were tailored to national-wide estimates. LiDAR and photogrammetry data of building topologies, geographical information systems (GIS), digital maps for rooftop measurements, factual solar photovoltaic (PV) performance modeling, average profiles of solar PV systems, statistical data of energy consumption in buildings, levelized cost of energy (LCOE) models and the literature review method were used. The results of the assessment of selected buildings and their categories reveal that the rooftop area per installed PV unit was 14.1–18.3 m 2 /kW in AP buildings, followed by 18.0–18.6 m 2 /kW in COM and 6.1–18.3 m 2 /kW in PUB buildings; the factor of rooftop suitability for solar PV system installation varied in ranges of 31.5–85.4%, 48.9–99.4% and 50.1–88.2%, respectively. Corrected by expert judgement, these estimates served as inputs for the assessment of technical and economic potentials. Furthermore, energy generated by solar PV could be consumed locally with little supplied to the distribution grid, resulting in no or a limited need for expensive investments in infrastructure. In addition, locating an EV charger on the premises of COM or PUB buildings could improve the localized consumption of solar energy. Thus, rooftop solar PV systems in urban Lithuanian areas are preferable. The results of the technical potential analysis show that, on the rooftops of AP buildings, 272 MW could be installed, followed by 78 MW on roofs of PUB and 67 MW on COM buildings. If technical potential is extracted, EUR 332.7 million can be invested. The cost of energy produced by solar PV systems was estimated at 2.34–5.25 EURct/kWh, which is significantly lower than the prices of market and retail electricity, standing at 23 EURct/kWh and 24 EURct/kWh (with support from the government) in 2022, respectively. The research’s limitations are defined by the fact that average values were applied to estimate the technical and economic potential of rooftop solar PV systems; a limited number of building categories were analyzed; the category of private houses, which is minor in cities, was missed, and rural areas with a great number of private houses were not covered by this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulius Kozlovas & Saulius Gudzius & Jokubas Ciurlionis & Audrius Jonaitis & Inga Konstantinaviciute & Viktorija Bobinaite, 2023. "Assessment of Technical and Economic Potential of Urban Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Lithuania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-29, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:14:p:5410-:d:1195289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stavros Vigkos & Panagiotis G. Kosmopoulos, 2024. "Photovoltaics Energy Potential in the Largest Greek Cities: Atmospheric and Urban Fabric Effects, Climatic Trends Influences and Socio-Economic Benefits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-32, August.
    2. Molnár, Gergely & Cabeza, Luisa F. & Chatterjee, Souran & Ürge-Vorsatz, Diana, 2024. "Modelling the building-related photovoltaic power production potential in the light of the EU's Solar Rooftop Initiative," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).

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