Geographical variation in energy yields of rooftop photovoltaic projects in Australia

Precise estimation of rooftop-received solar energy is essential for the efficient energy generation of photovoltaic (PV) projects and the development of energy policies. Conventional measurements usually adopt light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data, which can only be extracted from existing buildings, to estimate the solar radiation potential of building rooftops in a region. This research establishes a pixel-based estimation method for investigating the effects of different geolocations on energy output and yield distributions of rooftop PV systems by formulating estimation equations for the SketchUp platform. Based on the proposed alorighm, the solar radiation on a certain cell of a shadow map is mathematically formulated for each pixel unit. A building model derived from a typical Australian house with flat and pitched roofs is then chosen as a case study in this paper. The potential electrical energy from the rooftop PV systems is then measured and analysed considering solar radiation potentials in different geographical positions. This study will benefit commercial and individual energy investors in the efficient use of renewable energy sources through the accurate prediction of radiation-based energy yields and the identification of areas that can provide high energy revenues on building roofs for different geolocations.