Inferential- and measurement-based methods to estimate rooftop 'solar city' potential in megacity Seoul, South Korea

摘要

Data analysis and collection techniques now allow for detailed inventorybuildingof urban rooftops for the purposes of identifying solar energy potentialwithin geographically defined boundaries, including those of cities. Thecomplexity and inherent diversity of a city's building stock has propelled theintroduction of many so-called “solar city” assessment methods that, withvarying levels of accuracy, scalability, and ease of use, seek to characterize thecitywide solar photovoltaic (PV) resource potential. A review of the landscapeof available methods supports a fundamental distinction across two classes ofmethods. First, “solar city” assessment methods can principally rely on inferenceto identify and characterize rooftop solar potential. Such inferentialmethods can establish estimates of citywide solar potential without needingdirect insight into rooftop conditions or morphology, Second, measurementbasedmethods estimate rooftop solar opportunities based on the direct measurementof rooftop conditions, often conducted through remote sensing.Comparative performance testing of several inferential- and measurementbasedmethods using case study analysis underscores the importance ofmeasurement-based methods. In particular, measurement-based methods arelikely better positioned to support the needs of policy-makers and investorsinterested in transforming a city or metropolitan area into a sustainable citywhose buildings serve as the host of a new solar PV-powered distributed electricityservice system.