IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i14p5410-d1195289.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/14/5410/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/14/5410/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jäger-Waldau, Arnulf & Kougias, Ioannis & Taylor, Nigel & Thiel, Christian, 2020. "How photovoltaics can contribute to GHG emission reductions of 55% in the EU by 2030," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    2. Gabriele Lobaccaro & Malgorzata Maria Lisowska & Erika Saretta & Pierluigi Bonomo & Francesco Frontini, 2019. "A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.
    3. Walch, Alina & Castello, Roberto & Mohajeri, Nahid & Scartezzini, Jean-Louis, 2020. "Big data mining for the estimation of hourly rooftop photovoltaic potential and its uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    4. Perpiña Castillo, Carolina & Batista e Silva, Filipe & Lavalle, Carlo, 2016. "An assessment of the regional potential for solar power generation in EU-28," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 86-99.
    5. de Castro, Carlos & Mediavilla, Margarita & Miguel, Luis Javier & Frechoso, Fernando, 2013. "Global solar electric potential: A review of their technical and sustainable limits," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 824-835.
    6. Andres Calcabrini & Hesan Ziar & Olindo Isabella & Miro Zeman, 2019. "A simplified skyline-based method for estimating the annual solar energy potential in urban environments," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(3), pages 206-215, March.
    7. Setyawati, Dinita, 2020. "Analysis of perceptions towards the rooftop photovoltaic solar system policy in Indonesia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    8. Palm, Alvar & Lantz, Björn, 2020. "Information dissemination and residential solar PV adoption rates: The effect of an information campaign in Sweden," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    9. Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka & Andrzej Kokiel & Joanna Rogozińska-Mitrut & Anna Sobczak & Dariusz Soboń & Jacek Stasiak, 2022. "Analysis and Evaluation of the Photovoltaic Market in Poland and the Baltic States," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    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. 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).

    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. Lonergan, Katherine Emma & Sansavini, Giovanni, 2022. "Business structure of electricity distribution system operator and effect on solar photovoltaic uptake: An empirical case study for Switzerland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    2. Daniel Lugo-Laguna & Angel Arcos-Vargas & Fernando Nuñez-Hernandez, 2021. "A European Assessment of the Solar Energy Cost: Key Factors and Optimal Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Thebault, Martin & Desthieux, Gilles & Castello, Roberto & Berrah, Lamia, 2022. "Large-scale evaluation of the suitability of buildings for photovoltaic integration: Case study in Greater Geneva," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    4. Emily Schulte & Fabian Scheller & Daniel Sloot & Thomas Bruckner, 2021. "A meta-analysis of residential PV adoption: the important role of perceived benefits, intentions and antecedents in solar energy acceptance," Papers 2112.12464, arXiv.org.
    5. Gupta, Rahul & Sossan, Fabrizio & Paolone, Mario, 2021. "Countrywide PV hosting capacity and energy storage requirements for distribution networks: The case of Switzerland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    6. Meskiana Boulahia & Kahina Amal Djiar & Miguel Amado, 2021. "Combined Engineering—Statistical Method for Assessing Solar Photovoltaic Potential on Residential Rooftops: Case of Laghouat in Central Southern Algeria," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Prăvălie, Remus & Sîrodoev, Igor & Ruiz-Arias, José & Dumitraşcu, Monica, 2022. "Using renewable (solar) energy as a sustainable management pathway of lands highly sensitive to degradation in Romania. A countrywide analysis based on exploring the geographical and technical solar p," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 976-990.
    8. 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).
    9. Vrînceanu, Alexandra & Dumitrașcu, Monica & Kucsicsa, Gheorghe, 2022. "Site suitability for photovoltaic farms and current investment in Romania," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 320-330.
    10. Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo & Campos-Celador, Álvaro & Terés-Zubiaga, Jon, 2018. "Renewable Energy Cooperatives as an instrument towards the energy transition in Spain," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 215-229.
    11. Majumder, Suman & De, Krishnarti & Kumar, Praveen & Sengupta, Bodhisattva & Biswas, Pabitra Kumar, 2021. "Techno-commercial analysis of sustainable E-bus-based public transit systems: An Indian case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    12. Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka & Andrzej Kokiel & Joanna Rogozińska-Mitrut & Anna Sobczak & Dariusz Soboń & Jacek Stasiak, 2022. "Hydropower in the Energy Market in Poland and the Baltic States in the Light of the Challenges of Sustainable Development-An Overview of the Current State and Development Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-19, October.
    13. Formolli, M. & Kleiven, T. & Lobaccaro, G., 2023. "Assessing solar energy accessibility at high latitudes: A systematic review of urban spatial domains, metrics, and parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    14. Maren Helen Meyer & Sandra Dullau & Pascal Scholz & Markus Andreas Meyer & Sabine Tischew, 2023. "Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, June.
    15. Hao Cai & Ling Liang & Jing Tang & Qianxian Wang & Lihong Wei & Jiaping Xie, 2019. "An Empirical Study on the Efficiency and Influencing Factors of the Photovoltaic Industry in China and an Analysis of Its Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-22, November.
    16. Nieto, Jaime & Carpintero, Óscar & Miguel, Luis J. & de Blas, Ignacio, 2020. "Macroeconomic modelling under energy constraints: Global low carbon transition scenarios," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    17. Palmer, Diane & Gottschalg, Ralph & Betts, Tom, 2019. "The future scope of large-scale solar in the UK: Site suitability and target analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1136-1146.
    18. Jiang, Hou & Lu, Ning & Huang, Guanghui & Yao, Ling & Qin, Jun & Liu, Hengzi, 2020. "Spatial scale effects on retrieval accuracy of surface solar radiation using satellite data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    19. Fuster-Palop, Enrique & Prades-Gil, Carlos & Masip, X. & Viana-Fons, Joan D. & Payá, Jorge, 2021. "Innovative regression-based methodology to assess the techno-economic performance of photovoltaic installations in urban areas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    20. Marco Rogna, 2019. "A First-Phase Screening Device for Site Selection of Large-Scale Solar Plants with an Application to Italy," BEMPS - Bozen Economics & Management Paper Series BEMPS57, Faculty of Economics and Management at the Free University of Bozen.

    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:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:14:p:5410-:d:1195289. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.