Establishing a support system for the installation of photovoltaic generation system considering historical cityscape and landscape using Geographical Information System (GIS)

Author(s): Atsushi Shiotaa,b, Thongchart Kerdphola , Yasunori Mitania
a Kyushu Institute of Technology 1-1 Sensui-cho, Tobata-ku, Kitakyushu City, 804-8550, Japan
b Kitakyushu Municipal Medical Center 2-1-1 Bashaku, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, 804-8550, Japan
International Journal of Smart Grid and Clean Energy, vol. 9, no. 2, March 2020: pp. 375-382
ISSN: 2315-4462 (Print)
ISSN: 2373-3594 (Online)
Digital Object Identifier: 10.12720/sgce.9.2.375-382

Abstract: The utilization of the photovoltaic systems is expected to spread worldwide, solving greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the problem of fossil fuel depletion. Therefore, the Japanese government has been implementing a concrete policy to promote the widespread utilization of photovoltaic systems, such as the introduction of feed-in tariffs. As a result, the penetration of photovoltaic power generation systems in Japan is rapidly increasing into multiple applications and infrastructures. On the other hand, the photovoltaic system requires an area size larger than a certain size for installation. In addition, the photovoltaic system stands out from the surrounding landscape due to the reflection of sunlight. So the influence on the landscape such as historical townscape and natural environment is becoming a concern. For this reason, in Japan, it is necessary for local governments to take into consideration the landscape issues by establishing the ordinances aiming for a harmony between the landscape and the installation of solar power generation systems. So far, our research team has built a solar radiation analysis system that takes into consideration the influence of surrounding buildings and trees using the geographic information system (GIS) and digital surface model, in order to solve the problems of the photovoltaic power generation system that is affected by the surrounding buildings, tree shadow effects, and weather conditions. In addition, the solar radiation analysis system has also been constructed. It takes into consideration weather conditions in analyzing the solar radiation by correcting with the value of a solar radiation value meter and the value of solar radiation amount data, considering the past weather conditions. The purpose of this research is to support the examination of installation of photovoltaic power generation system which can harmonize the installation of photovoltaic power generation system with the landscape, with a focus on a historical cityscape. Specifically, a system that can select roofs and lands that could obtain a lot of solar radiation while taking into consideration the scenery is constructed. Using this system, the photovoltaic power generation panel installation location could also be selected so that it cannot be seen from the walking course of the historical cityscape. The system is utilizing the solar radiation analysis system, which is the result of our previous research, and the skyline function of the geographic information system.

Keywords: Geographic information system, solar radiation analysis, digital surface model, photovoltaic, landscape, skyline, TIN model
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