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Real estate developers, energy companies, and urban planners require accurate assessments of solar energy potential on building rooftops. The aim is to identify optimal locations for installing solar panels, maximizing energy production, reducing energy costs, and supporting sustainability initiatives. LuxCarta proposes a new product layer leveraging available DSM (Digital Surface Model) data derived from LIDAR or photogrammetric methods to determine rooftop solar energy potential throughout the year.
Methodology:
DSM Acquisition:
- Acquire high-resolution DSM data, available from LIDAR surveys or generated through advanced photogrammetric processes.
- DSM data reflects accurate surface heights, capturing rooftops, vegetation, and urban structures.
Solar Radiation Analysis:
- Utilize GIS-based solar radiation analysis tools (such as ArcGIS Solar Radiation Toolset) to process DSM inputs.
- The analysis calculates the total annual incoming solar radiation (in Wh/m²) received on building rooftops, considering factors like roof slope, aspect, shadows from neighboring structures, and geographic location.
Integration with Cadastre Footprints:
- Overlay DSM and solar radiation analysis results onto cadastral maps to clearly define energy potential per individual building footprint.
- Attribute data integration enables quick identification and quantification of each building’s potential solar energy capture.
Visualization and Output:
Produce detailed visualizations illustrating solar radiation distribution across urban areas with clear color-coding:
- High solar potential areas (red/orange)
- Moderate potential (yellow)
- Lower potential (blue)
- Provide attribute data tables linked directly to building footprints, allowing customers immediate identification and actionable insights.
Application and Benefits:
- Real Estate Sector:
- Enhanced property value through documented energy efficiency and solar potential.
- Data-driven marketing for sustainability-minded investors and homeowners.
- Energy Sector:
- Precise identification of optimal locations for solar panel installation.
- Improved investment decisions based on clear ROI calculations.
- Urban Planning and Government:
- Enables targeted sustainability strategies and urban energy optimization.
- Supports government mandates for renewable energy expansion and carbon footprint reduction.
Example Case Study:
Location: Madrid Urban Area
DSM Source : 1-meter LIDAR-generated DSM
Analysis Period: Annual calculation (e.g., from day 5 to 160 of 2024)
Findings:
- Rooftops varied significantly in solar radiation potential, ranging from 30.8446 to 57143.5 Wh/m² annually.
- High-resolution visualizations demonstrated clear differences between buildings due to shading, roof orientation, and slope.
- Attribute-linked cadastral data identified buildings that are optimal for immediate solar panel installation.
LuxCarta’s integration of DSM-derived solar energy potential analysis provides valuable insights into rooftop solar viability, enabling smarter, sustainable urban development decisions. This precise analytical capability directly supports energy efficiency goals, enhances real estate investment appeal, and optimizes renewable energy adoption at urban scales.