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A Novel Geographical Information Systems Framework to Characterize Photovoltaic Deployment in the UK: Initial Evidence

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  • Paul Westacott

    (Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy and Technology (ICEPT), Imperial College London, London SW7 1NA, UK)

  • Chiara Candelise

    (Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy and Technology (ICEPT), Imperial College London, London SW7 1NA, UK)

Abstract

Globally, deployment of grid-connected photovoltaics (PV) has increased dramatically in recent years. The UK has seen rapid uptake reaching over 500,000 installations totalling 2.8 GWp by 2013. PV can be installed in different market segments (domestic rooftop, non-domestic rooftop and ground-mounted “solar-farms”) covering a broad range of system sizes in a high number of locations. It is important to gain detailed understanding of what grid-connected PV deployment looks like (e.g., how it deployed across different geographic areas and market segments), and identify the major drivers behind it. This paper answers these questions by developing a novel geographical information systems (GIS)-framework—the United Kingdom Photovoltaics Database (UKPVD)—to analyze temporal and spatial PV deployment trends at high resolution across all market segments. Results show how PV deployment changed over time with the evolution of governmental PV policy support. Then spatial trends as function of local irradiation, rurality (as a proxy of building and population density) and building footprint (as a proxy for roof-area) are analyzed. We find in all market segments, PV deployment is strongly correlated with the level of policy support. Furthermore, all markets show a preference to deploy in rural areas and those with higher irradiation. Finally, local clustering of PV in all market segments was observed, revealing that PV is not spread evenly across areas. This work reveals the complex nature of PV deployment, both spatially and by market segment, reinforcing the need capture this through mapping.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Westacott & Chiara Candelise, 2016. "A Novel Geographical Information Systems Framework to Characterize Photovoltaic Deployment in the UK: Initial Evidence," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:1:p:26-:d:61701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Candelise, Chiara & Westacott, Paul, 2017. "Can integration of PV within UK electricity network be improved? A GIS based assessment of storage," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 694-703.
    4. Sheridan Few & Predrag Djapic & Goran Strbac & Jenny Nelson & Chiara Candelise, 2024. "A geographically disaggregated approach to integrate low-carbon technologies across local electricity networks," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(7), pages 871-882, July.
    5. Few, Sheridan & Djapic, Predrag & Strbac, Goran & Nelson, Jenny & Candelise, Chiara, 2020. "Assessing local costs and impacts of distributed solar PV using high resolution data from across Great Britain," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1140-1150.
    6. Collier, Samuel H.C. & House, Jo I. & Connor, Peter M. & Harris, Richard, 2023. "Distributed local energy: Assessing the determinants of domestic-scale solar photovoltaic uptake at the local level across England and Wales," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).

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