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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
While rooftops have been extensively studied for their photovoltaic (PV) potential, the volumetric
space between buildings remains largely unexplored. This study introduces a replicable framework to quantify solar radiation within this unoccupied urban volume. The methodology leverages widely available city-scale datasets (e.g., LIDAR data, elevation contours, and building
footprints) and accessible software to generate virtual surfaces at incremental heights between
buildings. These surfaces serve as the basis for calculating solar insolation at 30-min intervals.
The approach is demonstrated using neighbourhoods with differing urban morphologies to
showcase its applicability across various contexts. This framework produces detailed insolation
maps, revealing how volumetric solar radiation varies with urban form and time of year. The use
of city-scale datasets makes this approach particularly suited for planning at the urban scale,
enabling urban planners to identify optimal locations for PV installations, enhance urban thermal
comfort, and improve street luminosity. The primary contribution of this study lies in the
accessibility and generalizability of the methodology, which can be applied to support urban
design decisions where solar insolation is a critical factor. By addressing the underexplored
volumetric solar potential, this study provides actionable tools for advancing urban sustainability.
Description
Keywords
Volumetric solar potential Urban solar planning City-scale solar analysis GIS-Based solar analysis Urban morphology and solar potential
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Santos, T., Matias, M., Rocha, J. & Lobato, K. (2025). Method for assessing volumetric solar potential within urban street canyons. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 38, 101564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2025.101564
Publisher
Elsevier