Power Generation Potential Research Articles

Modeling and Analysis of Micro-Turbine Integrating PV Generation Systems

Abstract. As a matter of fact, in the emerging field of distributed generation, micro turbines (MT) are seen as having significant potential in power generation especially in recent years. In reality, it can provide flexibility as well as robustness for PV generation system with great performances. Therefore, with this in mind, this paper proposes a hybrid power system integrating MT into PV generation system. To be specific, this study investigates as well as discusses the operating principles of MT. On this basis, a coordinated PQ control strategy for the hybrid PVMT power generation system is proposed. At the same time, the inertia enhancement brought by the MT is analyzed validating the potential and feasibility of the proposed strategy. According to the analysis, the current limitations as well as future improvements are discussed in the meantime. Overall, these results shed light on guiding further exploration of MT integrating PV generation systems and pave a novel path for designs.

A portable balloon integrated photovoltaic system deployed at low altitude

This paper proposed a portable balloon-integrated photovoltaic system (BIPVS) deployed at low altitude. The inflatable and deflatable design enhances the proposed system flexibility and mobility, enabling it have a wider range of application scenarios. Case studies were conducted based on cities' data of Vasteras, Vancouver, New York, Shanghai and Hong Kong to evaluate 10,000 BIPVS's annual power generation potential. Mid-to-high latitudes are not suitable for photovoltaic power generation in winter due to snow and ice coverage. Excluding the unsuitable winter months, simulation results show that the average monthly power generation of the BIPVSs amounts to 3.921 GWh, 4.238 GWh, 4.275 GWh, 3.337 GWh, and 3.379 GWh, respectively, during the effective working months within a year, which shows the superior performance of mid-to-high latitudes over their low latitudes. Over the life cycle, the BIPVSs exhibit a cumulative power generation capacity, amounting to 479.492 GWh, 592.18 GWh, 672.105 GWh, 641.155 GWh, and 708.334 GWh, respectively, and their total profits are 79.614 million USD, 37.007 million USD, 75.146 million USD, 12.946 million USD, 107.369 million USD, accompanied by the return on investment of 218.6 %, 101.6 %, 206.3 %, 35.5 %, 294.8 %, respectively. These findings illustrate the significant energy and economic advantages and potential of BIPVS.

Evaluation of the potential power generation resources in SAARC region for sustainable energy trade

AbstractThis article presents a comprehensive review on the contemporary condition of electrical energy in the SAARC countries with particular focus on conventional as well as renewable resources. The region lies at the center of the Asia with a dense population where demand and supply gap has always been a challenging factor for the governments. In addition, the region has observed enormous industrial growth during past two and half decades whose sustainability is totally dependent upon the continuous supply of energy. A bulk of valuable literature has been published in recent years that addresses the challenges, infrastructure improvements margins and several schemes to mitigate the energy deficiency in the region but most of it focuses upon either generation or transmission. This article covers this gap and presents to‐the‐point data that can be used for future forecasting, cross‐border trade possibilities and indigenous energy generation for remote and islanded regions within and across the SAARC mainland. A detailed review on electrical power generation potential by exploiting the renewable energy resources (RERs), generation capacity, installed capacity, energy short fall and transmission and distribution (T&D) losses is presented for each SAARC country and the results are presented in forms of tables and graphs. It can be inferred from the data presented in this paper that the energy crisis of the SAARC region can be overcome by mutual trade among the land‐connected countries by transporting the electrical energy, generated through RERs, across the borders. The paper concludes that the region has enormous potential for renewable energy available in form of hydal, solar, wind and biomass that, if maturely harnessed, can only not fulfil the local demands of the region but also be exported to establish the framework of cross‐border energy trade in future for sustainability of industrial and domestic utilization.

City-wide Solar Radiation Potential Analysis by Coupling Physical Modelling and Machine Learning

Abstract. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change and meeting urban energy demands is of utmost importance in today's world. Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) emerges as a crucial solution for energy conservation and carbon emissions reduction in urban environments. However, traditional methods of assessing solar radiation on buildings using physical models are often computationally intensive and time-consuming. This paper introduces a novel hybrid approach that integrates physical model-based solar radiation calculation with machine learning techniques to analyze Solar Radiation Potential (SRP) across city-wide building infrastructure. The proposed approach precisely evaluates the SRP of representative blocks by leveraging computing-intensive physical models integrated with 3D building data. Subsequently, two machine learning models are developed to effectively predict the SRP of building roofs and facades across the entire city. To validate the efficacy of this approach, an experiment was conducted in Shenzhen, China, yielding insightful results. The findings reveal that Shenzhen has a huge potential for BIPV solar power generation, with mean annual total building roof and facade solar radiation values of 9.22*107 kwh and 2.47*108 kwh, respectively. It can be further observed that relying solely on rooftop installations is insufficient to meet electricity demand. This study not only provides an innovative alternative for city-wide SRP estimation by combining physical modeling and machine learning but also offers valuable insights for fostering low-carbon urban environments and informing data-driven and model-driven urban planning and management strategies.

Exploring Nigeria’s waste-to-energy potential: a sustainable solution for electricity generation

Abstract This research explored the potential of waste-to-energy (WtE) technology as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s energy deficit and waste management challenges. Various WtE technologies were reviewed, including incineration, anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis, highlighting their applicability and benefits for Nigeria. The potential energy yield from different waste streams, combined with economic viability, environmental benefits, and social impacts, demonstrates the importance of WtE technology for the country. The lower heating value of municipal solid waste and agricultural residue significantly affects energy yield. The incineration of 27.36 million tons of organic waste annually while using relevant technology with energy recovery could generate between 14.52 and 23.08 TWh of electricity per annum. The inclusion of paper and textiles increases the potential yield to 18.69 and 29.71 TWh per year. The potential power generation from agricultural residues is estimated at 80.3 GW. However, Nigeria must address technical, economic, and policy challenges to realize this potential. This can be achieved by developing a robust regulatory framework, fostering public–private partnerships, enhancing local capacity, engaging communities, and investing in research and development. The implementation of WtE projects will facilitate sustainable waste management, improve energy security, create jobs, and promote environmental stewardship.

Locating the suitable large-scale solar farms in China's deserts with environmental considerations

Desert areas offer rich solar resources and low land use costs, ideal for large-scale new energy development. However, desert ecosystems are fragile, and large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power facilities pose ecological risks. Current assessments of PV plant sites in deserts lack consideration of wind-sand hazards and ecological impacts. In this study, we have developed a new large-scale photovoltaic (PV) site selection model that integrates the analytic hierarchy process with geographic information system technology, and applies it to the desert regions of China. The results show that the potential for large-scale PV power plants in China's deserts is significant, with 69.4 % of the region assessed as medium or higher. The most suitable area is 12.7 × 104 km2 (7.6 % of the overall study area), mainly centered in the Tibetan Plateau's Qaidam Basin Desert and the deserts of northern China, characterized by favorable solar resources, climate, and terrain. Across all regions, gravel deserts are recognized as more suitable for the construction of large-scale PV power projects than sandy deserts. Considering varying PV installation density scenarios with an installed capacity potential of 36.4–84.9 TW and system costs ranging from 10.0 to 33.5 trillion USD, the study estimates an annual solar power generation potential of 47–110 PWh which is 1.7–3.9 times the global electricity demand. Carbon emissions could be reduced by 26.8–62.6 gigatons annually, offsetting 73–170 % of global emissions. Covering just 4.8–11.5 % of China's desert area (8 × 104–19.4 × 104 km2) would meet the projected 2025 electricity needs of the country. This study lays the groundwork for spatial planning and benefit assessment of large-scale PV projects in desert regions, and reduces conflicts between PV plant construction and local ecosystem.

High-performance hydrogel membranes with superior environmental stability for harvesting osmotic energy

A collection of innovative nanofluidic systems has been developed to harness Gibbs free energy and convert it into osmotic energy. Nevertheless, these systems frequently encounter challenges such as low output power density, inadequate mechanical stability, and diminished performance in extreme conditions. In this work, we utilized a simple thermal polymerization method to fabricate a charged phytic acid (PA)–acrylic acid (AA)–3-sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt (SPAK) hydrogel (PASH) membrane with anti-drying and anti-freezing properties, alongside mechanical stability. Using a silicon window with a testing area of 3 × 10−8 m2, a high power density of 30.94 W/m2 was achieved in artificial seawater and river water environments (0.5/0.01 M NaCl). Notably, an even higher power density of 103.9 W/m2 was attained in artificial saline lake and river water environments (5/0.01 M NaCl). Meanwhile, the PASH membrane demonstrated outstanding performance in low temperatures and various acidic and alkaline environments, offering the potential for osmotic power generation in extreme conditions. This work provides essential theoretical foundations and experimental evidence for the development of sustainable osmotic energy conversion technologies, contributing to the advancement and innovation in the field of blue osmotic energy.

Unlocking the thermoelectric potential of nanocrystalline magnesium selenide thin films grown by single stage horizontal tube furnace (SSHTF)

In this manuscript, the thin films of Magnesium Selenide (MgSe) were synthesized on a glass substrate using a single-stage horizontal tube furnace (SSHTF) which is supposed to be the simplest and a cost-effective approach. Before the deposition of thin films, the substrate was cleaned using standard methods. A pellet was formed by taking an equal ratio (1:1) of magnesium (Mg) and selenium (Se) powders and then evaporating them at 700oC for 1 h. The flow rate of nitrogen gas (100 SCCM) was maintained during the deposition process to avoid unwanted oxygen. A number of samples were synthesized by varying the source to substrate distance, and some representative samples are chosen for this study. The post-growth samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, and Raman Spectroscopy. The thermoelectric potential of all samples was tested by a home-developed Seebeck system. We have observed some promising values of the Seebeck coefficient (7.175 × 10−5 V/°C) and power factor (6.35 × 10−8 Wm−1oC−2) at optimized source-to substrate distance. These encouraging results will open the door for MgSe-based thermoelectric research and further explore its power generation potential in the future.

Variation of surface solar radiation components from 2016 to 2020 in China: Perspective from geostationary satellite observation with a high spatiotemporal resolution

At present, traditional satellite datasets still grapple with inadequacies in terms of capturing solar radiation with fine spatiotemporal granularity. This study utilizes the high spatiotemporal resolution of CARE data, which is developed based on geostationary satellite observations, and employs multivariate analysis techniques to conduct an in-depth investigation into the multidimensional spatiotemporal variations of different types of solar radiation across various regions in China from 2016 to 2020. In addition, the potential of solar energy resources was also assessed using cluster analysis method. The results revealed an upward trend in different components of solar radiation across most of China, with shortwave radiation exhibiting a significantly negative correlation with PM2.5 concentrations (R = −0.91, p < 0.05). This finding suggests that the increase in SWR may be attributed to the effective implementation of China's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan. It suggests that China's endeavors to mitigate air pollution have not only resulted in improvements in national air quality but have also had an indirect positive effect on enhancing the potential for photovoltaic power generation. The assessment of solar energy resources potential indicated, with 99 % statistical confidence, that western China constitutes the core region for solar energy resources development, whereas northeastern and southeastern regions face certain constraints in solar energy resources utilization. Furthermore, we examined the specific influence of atmospheric circulation patterns on solar energy resources, uncovering that the El Niño phenomenon, by altering cloud distribution and variability, indirectly affects solar radiation intensity in specific regions. This study aids in understanding China's solar radiation variations, crucial for shaping effective energy policies towards carbon neutrality.

Low-emissions hydrogen from MCH dehydrogenation: Integration with LNG regasification

Methylcyclohexane (MCH) is a promising organic hydride carrier for hydrogen transport and storage. Recovering hydrogen from MCH is an energy intensive process. An innovative idea of integrating this process with liquified natural gas (LNG) regasification is proposed in this study and demonstrated via modelling and simulation to substantially reduce external energy use. The synergistic benefits are twofold. In addition to providing a cold energy source for an effective high recovery cryogenic flash separation, the organic Rankine cycle based electrical power generation potential from LNG cold energy is fully exploited to reduce/eliminate external electricity demand for hydrogen compression to the high (end use) pressure. The results is a major reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The proposed design for an integrated LNG-H2terminal can supply (1) 99.99 mol% pure hydrogen to a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant and (2) commercial-grade natural gas to a gas-grid, both at the desired pressures and temperatures. Subsequently, rigorous simulation-based optimization was performed to minimize external energy inputs.A case study with 100 tph MCH and 100 tph LNG showed that integrating regasification with dehydrogenation produced 6.2 tph of hydrogen while gasifying LNG with a net power generation of 310 kW and a hydrogen recovery cost of 0.282 $/kg H2. Up to 7.3 tonnes of hydrogen can be produced per 100 tonnes of LNG without the use of external power. On the other hand, using external power, up to 11.3 tonnes of hydrogen can be produced per 100 tonnes of LNG without any external refrigeration. Overall, the superstructure proposed in this manuscript provides a generic initial approach for future MCH hydrogen supply chain projects, when considering integrations with LNG regasification plants.

Assessing the current situation of constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells as an alternative power generation and wastewater treatment in developing countries

Developing countries facing population growth and increased energy demand present simultaneous challenges regarding wastewater treatment and electricity supply. Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs) offer a dual solution to the challenges of insufficient electricity and wastewater treatment by integrating indigenous plant species. CW-MFCs provide sustainable power generation and wastewater treatment. This approach can enhance sustainability and foster a circular economy by utilising plant-derived byproducts as an added product. Current research indicates various novel designs for effective wastewater treatment and potential power generation. Future studies focusing on rural settings and upscaling operations can apply advanced techniques like mass spectrophotometry and metagenomics to refine the technology for grid use. Developing CW-MFC technology will catapult the idea of developing a robust strategy for addressing power supply and sanitation issues in developing regions. This will also aid in continuous research into system optimisation and microbial communities, aiding long-term viability.

Optimizing sustainable development in arid river basins: A multi-objective approach to balancing water, energy, economy, carbon and ecology nexus

The ongoing water crisis poses significant threats to the socioeconomic sustainability and ecological security of arid and semi-arid river basins. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within a complex socio-ecological nexus requires effective and balanced resource management. However, due to the intricate interactions between human societies and environmental systems, the tradeoffs and synergies of different SDGs remain unclear, posing a substantial challenge for collaborative management of natural resources. Here we introduce a gray fractional multi-objective optimization (GFMOP) model to balance multi-dimensional SDGs through a novel water–energy–economy–carbon–ecology nexus perspective. The model was applied to a typical arid river basin in Northwest China, where thirty-two scenarios were explored, considering factors such as shared socioeconomic pathways, carbon removal rates, water conveyance efficiencies, and ecological requirements. The results reveal a strong tradeoff between marginal benefit and carbon emission intensity, indicating that improving the economic efficiency of water use can simultaneously reduce emissions and protect the environment. Given the immense power generation potential, wind power development should be prioritized in the future, with its share in the energy structure projected to increase to 23.3% by 2060. Furthermore, promoting carbon capture technologies and expanding grassland coverage are recommended to achieve regional carbon neutrality, contributing 39.5% and 49.1% to carbon absorption during 2021–2060, respectively. Compared with traditional single-objective models, GFMOP demonstrates a superiority in uncovering interrelationships among multiple SDGs and identifying compromised alternatives within the compound socio-ecological nexus. The model also provides detailed strategies for resource allocation and pollutant control, offering valuable guidance to policymakers and stakeholders in pursuing sustainable and harmonious watershed management.

3D Soft Architectures for Stretchable Thermoelectric Wearables with Electrical Self-Healing and Damage Tolerance.

Flexible thermoelectric devices (TEDs) exhibit adaptability to curved surfaces, holding significant potential for small-scale power generation and thermal management. However, they often compromise stretchability, energy conversion, or robustness, thus limiting their applications. Here, the implementation of 3D soft architectures, multifunctional composites, self-healing liquid metal conductors, and rigid semiconductors is introduced to overcome these challenges. These TEDs are extremely stretchable, functioning at strain levels as high as 230%. Their unique design, verified through multiphysics simulations, results in a considerably high power density of 115.4µWcm⁻2 at a low-temperature gradient of 10°C. This is achieved through 3D printing multifunctional elastomers and examining the effects of three distinct thermal insulation infill ratios (0%, 12%, and 100%) on thermoelectric energy conversion and structural integrity. The engineered structure is lighter and effectively maintains the temperature gradient across the thermoelectric semiconductors, thereby resulting in higher output voltage and improved heating and cooling performance. Furthermore, these thermoelectric generators show remarkable damage tolerance, remaining fully functional even after multiple punctures and 2000 stretching cycles at 50% strain. When integrated with a 3D-printed heatsink, they can power wearable sensors, charge batteries, and illuminate LEDs by scavenging body heat at room temperature, demonstrating their application as self-sustainable electronics.

Towards Sustainable Energy Generation: Analyzing Wind Power Potential, Financial Viability, and Environmental Friendliness at Nok Kundi, Baluchistan

Pakistan is blessed with versatile renewable energy resources, solar and wind energies. Coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan are the richest sources of wind energy, where adequate wind speeds are available for electricity generation. The Nok Kundi region of Balochistan has outstanding year-round wind speeds and tremendous potential for wind power generation. This study explores wind power potential, financial viability, and mitigation of carbon footprints. In this regard, simulations on the analysis of wind power potential, and financial viability are conducted in the ETAP and HOMMER software respectively. The data regarding the energy demand of Nok Kundi is obtained from Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) Quetta and the data on wind speeds is obtained from the World Weather Online platform. The ETAP software is used to conduct the load flow analysis of a grid-connected system. The full financial analysis considered the state-of-the-art wind power installation site of 40 megawatts capacity to meet Nok Kundi's energy demand. Furthermore, the simulations are conducted in two scenarios i.e. isolated and grid-connected systems. Financial assessments (including the calculation of required capital and operating expenses) are conducted for both isolated and grid-connected systems by using HOMER software. According to the findings of the research, the grid-connected system provided significant benefits in terms of revenues and seamless grid connections. The proposed wind power plant can potentially help reduce the carbon footprints. The present research concluded that the proposed wind power plant can produce 47,581,913 kWh/year and at the same time can mitigate the generation of 47.20 million Kg of carbon/year and an average of 3.93 million Kg/month. This research contributes to providing a detailed feasibility of wind power plants from financial and environmental perspectives. This study addresses Sustainable Development Goal# 13 (SDG 13: Climate Action).

Experimental analysis on the thermoelectric effect of various solid-state devices used for direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy

In this present investigation, the performance of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) was determined for the TEGs made of lead telluride (PbTe3), bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3), silicon germanium (SiGe), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). In response to variations in the heat input rate and water flow rate, the electric power generated by the TEG was recorded and studied for the aforementioned TEG materials. During the investigation, the water flow rate to the TEG's cold side was chosen to be 0.5 lpm to 2 lpm in the step of 0.5 lpm, and the thermal energy input rate to the hot side was set at 30 W–120 W in the step of 30 W. Among all the TEGs Bi2Te3 was superior in terms of power generation potential in comparison to other TEGs in all the test conditions. The investigation also reveals that all TEGs appear to have a high-power generation when the cooling water flow rate was 2 lpm and the heat input rate was 120 W. At a water flow rate of 2 lpm for the case of Bi2Te3, the power generation potential was elevated by about 20.3 %, 14.4 %, and 6.5 % in comparison to Al2O3, PbTe3, and SiGe respectively.

Future hydrogen economies imply environmental trade-offs and a supply-demand mismatch

Hydrogen will play a key role in decarbonizing economies. Here, we quantify the costs and environmental impacts of possible large-scale hydrogen economies, using four prospective hydrogen demand scenarios for 2050 ranging from 111–614 megatonne H2 year−1. Our findings confirm that renewable (solar photovoltaic and wind) electrolytic hydrogen production generates at least 50–90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil-fuel-based counterparts without carbon capture and storage. However, electrolytic hydrogen production could still result in considerable environmental burdens, which requires reassessing the concept of green hydrogen. Our global analysis highlights a few salient points: (i) a mismatch between economical hydrogen production and hydrogen demand across continents seems likely; (ii) region-specific limitations are inevitable since possibly more than 60% of large hydrogen production potentials are concentrated in water-scarce regions; and (iii) upscaling electrolytic hydrogen production could be limited by renewable power generation and natural resource potentials.

Deep Geothermal Resources with Respect to Power Generation Potential of the Sinian–Cambrian Formation in Western Chongqing City, Eastern Sichuan Basin, China

Deep Geothermal Resources with Respect to Power Generation Potential of the Sinian–Cambrian Formation in Western Chongqing City, Eastern Sichuan Basin, China

Heterojunction of natural clay minerals and carbon nanotubes as robust moisture electric generator

Among various sustainable energy harvesting devices, moisture electric generators (MEG) possess distinct advantages like portability, minimum human intervention, absence of moving parts, unnecessity of fuels, and potential for off-grid power generation. However, maturing this emerging technology requires the exploration of a diverse range of materials and device configurations. Here, we report the fabrication of heterojunction-based robust MEGs by using reconstructed layers of natural vermiculite clay (VM) and HNO3-treated oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (o-CNT). The heterojunction of negatively charged VM and o-CNT membranes (o-CNT-VM) prepared through a facile water-assisted fusion process yielded voltages of ∼ 790 mV for more than 2000 s (at 75 % RH). Assembling multiple o-CNT-VM devices in series connection output potentials up to 98 V were achieved. The mechanistic studies revealed the junction potential between VM and o-CNT to be the major contributor to the observed potential, with minor contributions arising from evaporation-driven streaming of ions through the 2D nanofluidic channels. The o-CNT-VM devices can function in extreme conditions such as temperatures ranging from 0 to 80 °C. The practical applicability of the o-CNT-VM-based MEG devices is demonstrated by lighting LED, and powering calculators by assembling o-CNT-VM devices in simultaneous series and parallel connection.

Sunflower-Inspired Superhydrophobic Surface with Composite Structured Microcone Array for Anisotropy Liquid/Ice Manipulation.

Precisely controlling the directional motion trajectories of droplets on anisotropic 3D functional surfaces has great application potential in self-cleaning, drug delivery, and droplet power generation, but it also faces huge challenges. Herein, inspired by the microcone structure in the heart of sunflowers, a nanoneedle-modified microcone array surface (NMAS)is reported. The surface is created using a combination of nanosecond laser direct engraving and electroforming and is subsequently fluorinated. Through programmable control of the laser spot, the geometric parameters and inclination angle of the microcone can be quickly and finely adjusted, thereby achieving precise control of the droplet bouncing trajectory. The results show that droplets can achieve programmable multiple bouncing behaviors on patterned functional surfaces, including gravity-defying hopping and directional water transport. It is worth noting that this functional surface has delayed freezing and anti-freezing effects. Furthermore, this functional surface has a wide range of potential applications, including surface self-cleaning, droplet capture, and droplet-based chemical microreactions, especially in the field of anti-icing operations. This opens up a new way for the directional transport of droplets on biomimetic functional surfaces.

From roofs to renewables: Deep learning and geographic information systems insights into a comprehensive urban solar photovoltaic assessment for Stonehaven

As urban solar photovoltaic (PV) construction emerges as a leading renewable energy technology, there is a growing focus on its implementation. However, the challenges of scarce, low-resolution, and inaccurate PV-related data sources hinder accurate assessments of urban PV potentials and are not conducive to efficient and rational smart city planning. This study tackles these challenges by introducing a mature, detailed, and accurate assessment process, taking Stonehaven as an example, aimed at leveraging limited data to mine more data and geographic information useful for guiding urban PV planning. Initially, utilise existing Digital Surface Model (DSM) and optical image data, combined with deep learning techniques and a PV potential assessment model, to comprehensively assess the PV power generation potential of the Stonehaven area. Our results demonstrate that integrating DSM significantly enhances the accuracy of roof segmentation. Furthermore, compared with DeeplabV3, U-Net performs better in roof segmentation. Additionally, the solar radiation potential (SRP) map generated by DSM highlights the superior solar radiation receiving capacity of south-facing and flat roofs. We provide a detailed PV power generation potential (PPGP) map of individual building roofs, revealing the substantial potential of this area for generating up to 1.12 × 10^7 kWh of electricity per year. Detailed and fine-grained PPGP can also help to optimise PV siting and electricity resource allocation. Furthermore, our return-on-investment period (ROIP) analysis indicates that most Stonehaven roofs have ROIPs between 8.1 and 11.3 years. The detailed ROIP distribution map can help people make informed PV investment decisions. Future research directions include enhancing data quality, refining segmentation algorithms, and exploring assisted urban energy planning analysis for smarter urban planning.