Estimation of Photovoltaic Energy Potential and Reduced Carbon Emission through Geo-Spatial Technology – A Case Study of Karnal City, Haryana (India)

Abstract

The study utilizes effectiveness of Geospatial technology analysis to estimate potential of solar photovoltaic on the roof tops of Government buildings in the study area situated between 76°59'40.648"E and 29°41'38.146"N occupying an area of 5978 hectares. Solar potential was quantified for the magnitude of achieved potential based on remotely sensed monthly average Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) derived using the Cartosat Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the year 2017. The roof tops of institutions were digitized (1:1000 scale) using the High Resolution, panchromatic ortho-rectified World View-II satellite image (0.5 m resolution). Electricity generation considering 60% of actual area depends on the solar potential achieved on each building which varies with month. The annual solar potential summed up as varying monthly potentials with panel efficiency as 0.15 and performance ratio to be 0.75 for polycrystalline panels to be installed along with utilized roof top area were parameters used for calculation of generated electricity. An attempt has been made to calculate the reduced carbon emissions to the environment with an approach to utilize eco-friendly source of energy. Using the CO2 factor as 0.99 kg/kWh, a reduction in 264782.66 kg of carbon dioxide can be achieved for production of 267457.23 kWh of electricity as calculated by energy production using poly-crystalline panels covering an area of 14.4 km2 (60% of the total area). The study suggest to move towards a more sustainable approach to achieve energy security as well as protect the environment from polluting gases released as a result of energy production from carbonaceous fuels.