An Integrative Approach for Solar Energy Potential Estimation Through 3D Modeling of Buildings and Trees

Abstract. Shadows cast by tall trees and buildings in urban areas can dramatically reduce the direct solar radiation reaching building surfaces. Accurate and detailed 3D modeling of buildings and trees has been a major challenge in the assessment of solar energy potential at building level. This study presents a new approach for the assessment of solar energy potential at the building scale by integrating remote sensing and 3D analysis. The hourly direct normal irradiance was estimated from meteorological satellite observation. The buildings and trees in 3D were modeled based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud data and QuickBird imagery. Shadows were simulated using a vector-based ray casting method, and their areas were calculated using a method modified from the Inclusion–Exclusion principle. The accumulated direct energy was integrated with the direct solar irradiance received by building surfaces over time. The proposed approach has been applied to assess the solar energy potential in a building community in the City of Nanjing, Jiangsu, China as a case study. The results show that the approach is highly promising and capable of offering detailed and valuable information on the distribution of local solar radiation on buildings. Résumé. Les ombres projetées par les grands arbres et les bâtiments dans les zones urbaines peuvent considérablement réduire le rayonnement solaire direct atteignant la surface des bâtiments. La modélisation 3D précise et détaillée des bâtiments et des arbres a été un défi majeur dans l'évaluation du potentiel de l'énergie solaire au niveau du bâtiment. Cette étude présente une nouvelle approche pour l'évaluation du potentiel de l'énergie solaire à l'échelle du bâtiment en intégrant la télédétection et l'analyse 3D. L'éclairement normal direct horaire a été estimé à partir d'observations par satellites météorologiques. Les bâtiments et les arbres ont été modélisés en 3D à l'aide de données de nuages de points de détection et télémétrie par ondes lumineuses « Light Detection and Ranging » (LiDAR) et d'images QuickBird. Les ombres ont été simulées à l'aide d'une méthode de raycasting vectoriel et leurs surfaces ont été calculées en utilisant une méthode modifiée du principe d'inclusion-exclusion. L'énergie directe accumulée a été calculée en intégrant dans le temps l'éclairement solaire direct reçu par les surfaces des bâtiments. Pour réaliser une étude de cas, l'approche proposée a été appliquée pour évaluer le potentiel de l'énergie solaire dans une communauté de bâtiments dans la ville de Nanjing, Jiangsu, en Chine. Les résultats montrent que l'approche est très prometteuse et permet d'offrir des informations détaillées et utiles sur la répartition du rayonnement solaire local sur les bâtiments.

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