Solar suitability map for office buildings using integration of remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS)

Abstract

The rapid growth and urbanization of metropolitan regions has resulted to greenhouse gasses and global warming. The primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are coal dioxide, CO2, which is produced by natural operations such as cement manufacturing, deforestation and combustion of fossil fuels. This could have a major, damaging impact on human well-being. Energy requirements are anticipated to raise by a ratio of 1.5 to 3.0 by 2050, leading to an ever-increasing rise in carbon dioxide emissions. As rising carbon emissions have become a growing issue, there is a need to reduce carbon emissions. Many countries in the world are aiming at increasing the use of renewable energies and improving energy efficiency in urban and rural areas while utilizing the economic growth potential of the low-carbon sector. Among renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, solar energy is one of the oldest, cleanest, and most reliable renewable energy sources. Over the years, numerous methods for estimating solar radiation on a horizontal plane have been developed. In this study, the satellite dataset with the aid of GIS technology was used to generate solar suitability maps for the study area. With the integration of satellite images, spatial datasets, and GIS tools, the best location to set up solar collectors such as photovoltaic and concentrated solar power can be determined. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.