Abstract

Solar maps are becoming a popular resource and are available via the web to help plan investments for the benefits of renewable energy. These maps are especially useful when the results have high accuracy. LiDAR technology currently offers high-resolution data sources that are very suitable for obtaining an urban 3D geometry with high precision. Three-dimensional visualization also offers a more accurate and intuitive perspective of reality than 2D maps. This paper presents a new method for the calculation and visualization of the solar potential of building roofs on an urban 3D model, based on LiDAR data. The paper describes the proposed methodology to (1) calculate the solar potential, (2) generate an urban 3D model, (3) semantize the urban 3D model with different existing and calculated data, and (4) visualize the urban 3D model in a 3D web environment. The urban 3D model is based on the CityGML standard, which offers the ability to consistently combine geometry and semantics and enable the integration of different levels (building and city) in a continuous model. The paper presents the workflow and results of application to the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain. This paper also shows the potential use of LiDAR data in different domains that can be connected using different technologies and different scales.

Highlights

  • Half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; according to the UN, this number will increase to 60% in two decades

  • - CityGML Generation Tool [13]: developed by the authors of this paper to generate a 3D urban model based on the CityGML standard using cadastre, digital surface model (DSM), and digital terrain model (DTM) data [14]

  • - The input data used during the process are described as follows: - Digital Surface Model (DSM): LiDAR file with elevation data of the urban environment, including the elevations of urban elements such as buildings, vegetation or roads. - Digital Terrain Model (DTM): LiDAR file with elevation data of the ground, on which the urban environment is based. - Weather Data [16]: Detailed climate file of the study area. - Cadastre Data: Geographic information systems (GIS) file that includes georeferenced dimensions and attributes of land parcels

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Summary

Introduction

Half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; according to the UN, this number will increase to 60% in two decades. Cities consume a considerable amount of energy, but they can produce it. Solar energy has the advantage of being able to be generated in the same place it can be consumed due to the possibilities offered by the integration of photovoltaic systems in buildings. As reflected in Directive 2010/31/EU, 40% of the total energy consumption in the European Union corresponds to buildings. These conditions have caused the EU to promote the development of photovoltaic energy as part of improvement programs for the energy efficiency of buildings. By the end of 2020, at least 25% of new or refurbished buildings will be obliged to comply with the high energy efficiency and bidding requirements for energy consumption, which should be obtained from renewable sources

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