A GIS-based model to assess buildings energy consumption and usable solar energy potential in urban areas

This paper illustrates a GIS (Geographic Information System) based approach for assessing thermal and electric energy consumptions and usable solar energy potential of residential buildings in order to increase their independence from fossil fuels. After integrating and simplifying previous researches, a methodology for estimating thermal energy needs, both for heating and hot water supply, and electric energy demand for assessing PV and solar thermal productivity is presented. For each single building the decrease of non-renewable thermal and electricity needs has been estimated both considering possible installations of PV and solar thermal systems. The described approach has been applied in two urban cells comparing the obtained results and testing its applicability in two different urban contest: a historical town centre and a new suburban district. The methodology has been proven to be suitable in both different contexts. On one hand, it has stated that new suburban districts are most suitable for solar potential exploitation, especially by means of PV. On the other hand, the obtained outcomes shows that a reduction of non-renewable thermal energy demand would have a greater impact on enhancing the buildings efficiency. The developed model should help local authorities for implementing energy management strategies in their urban areas.