Method for assessing volumetric solar potential within urban street canyons

Abstract

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.