2134/20083
Diane Palmer
Diane
Palmer
Ian R. Cole
Ian R.
Cole
Brian Goss
Brian
Goss
Tom Betts
Tom
Betts
Ralph Gottschalg
Ralph
Gottschalg
Detection of roof shading for PV based on LiDAR data using a multi-modal approach
Loughborough University
2016
Modelling
Photovoltaic
Ray tracing
Solar radiation
Shading
Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified
2016-01-19 15:53:53
Conference contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/conference_contribution/Detection_of_roof_shading_for_PV_based_on_LiDAR_data_using_a_multi-modal_approach/9553082
There is a current drive to increase rooftop deployment of PV. Suitable roofs need to be located, especially as regards shading. A shadow cast on one small section of a solar panel can disproportionately undermine output of the entire system. Nevertheless, few shading figures are available to researchers and developers. This paper reviews and categorizes a number of methods of determining shade losses on photovoltaic systems. Two existing methods are tested on case study areas: shadow simulation from buildings and ambient occlusion. The first is conceptually simple and was found to be useful where data is limited. The second is slightly more demanding in terms of data input and mathematical models. It produces attractive shadow maps but is intended for speed and represents an approximation to ray-tracing. Accordingly, a new model was developed which is fast, flexible and accurately models solar radiation.