Assessing the Photovoltaic Application Potential of Non-Building Areas in Existing High-Density Residential Areas

Abstract

Low-carbon transformation of existing high-density residential areas is the key to sustainable urban development, but the uneven distribution of solar irradiance under the urban canopy hinders the conversion of renewable energy such as photovoltaic (PV). This study takes the PV application in the non-building area of high-density residential areas as the research object, and analyzes the three aspects of design, potential, and urban morphologies that affect the maximization of PV power generation in high-density residential areas. By evaluating 30 cases in three first-tier Chinese cities, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, this paper identifies the basic elements and design paradigms for the application of PV in the non-building area of existing high-density residential areas. By comparing the proportion of PV applicable area and its contribution rate, this study shows that the potential for PV application in Shenzhen's non-building area is higher than that in Beijing and Chengdu. From the perspective of urban morphologies, this research identifies that the main urban morphologies that affect the potential for PV application in the non-building area of the three cities are maximum building height, average distance between buildings, greenery ratio, and the perimeter-to-area ratio of non-building areas. However, due to significant differences in spatial morphology distribution among different cities, the sensitivity of these influences varies accordingly.

Keywords: Non-building areas, High-density residential areas, Photovoltaic application, Potential assessment, Urban morphology