| Description |
The transformation to urban living is becoming increasingly popular. The energy de- mand for these regions is continually increasing and is currently met with use of fossil fuels, at the expense of human health and well being. The implementation of renewable technology in these urban areas is necessary to alleviate low air quality and illness that result from fossil fuel consumption at a localized environment. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a leading renewable technology adopted by many residents and property owners for use in small- and large-scale operations. Currently, irradiance data are estimated using macroscale models that are used to assess PV potential for a given region, while neglect- ing the local topography and its shading effects. This approach does not capture the solar availability at a localized level, which can be reflected in the anticipated PV power generation and system's Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). With the implementations of Geographic Information System (GIS) software coupled with aerial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) topography data, a model that captures the localized irradiance is achievable and essential for more accurate estimations while assessing the PV potential for a given region. Using this approach, a solar radiation model was created with inclusion of the local topography capturing the irradiation variability within Salt Lake Valley at a 3 meter resolution. With use of this model, better assessments regarding potential PV power generation systems are achievable, giving consumers confidence in their investment and the anticipated rate of return. |
