Towards energy self-sufficiency in cities. Analysis of the solar photovoltaic potential at urban scale in the Principality of Andorra
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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9997-9789
Marc Vilella
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5838-7645
Patricia Borges
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4447-2822
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. A significant number of countries and cities have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. Some even go further and talk about energy self-sufficiency in cities. In the face of these major challenges, renewable energies are one of the main options to take into account. Knowing their potential on a large scale is the first step towards mass implementation. OBJECTIVE. This article describes a case study in which the potential for electricity generation on a country scale using photovoltaic systems installed on the roofs of buildings is analyzed. METHOD. A methodology combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and LiDAR (Lighting Detection And Ranging) data is used. RESULTS. The results show that, with the installation of photovoltaic systems on practically all the buildings in the country, 48% of the current electricity demand would be covered. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. Although the estimated potential is significant, a thorough reflection on the results leads to think that energy self-sufficiency in an urban context is hardly feasible. In any case, analyses such as the one presented in this study are of vital importance to support the definition of policies that lead countries and cities to meet their energy and climate change objectives.
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