Urban photovoltaic potential of inclined roofing for buildings in heritage centers in equatorial areas

Abstract

In situ renewable energy production is a favourable alternative for reducing pollution and combating climate change. The research area, Cuenca, Ecuador, is located in the Andes near the equator with optimal conditions for energy self-supply due to its low energy demands and low levels of irradiation variability. In this study, temporary fluctuations in consumption based on 2016 electricity consumption data are characterized. Using GIS, available roofing polygons are obtained, and the amount of usable solar radiation is estimated based on these values. With available surface, orientation, and inclination information, electricity generation based on photovoltaic performance is estimated and compared for monocrystalline silica panels and photovoltaic solar roof tiles, which are architectural alternatives. A potential net supply of 148% is found for monocrystalline silica photovoltaic panels in a typical format, whereas that of photovoltaic tiles is only 61%. In addition, production-demand imbalances are predicted in extreme months and average months and on extreme days due to variations in irradiation and demands.