Why is rooftop solar potential important?

The assessment of rooftop solar potential is vital for optimal photovoltaic (PV) system placement and renewable energy policy in dense urban areas. Complex shading from buildings and diverse rooftop obstacles have posed significant challenges to this evaluation.

Does a high-resolution global assessment of rooftop solar photovoltaics potential exist?

Yet, only limited information is available on its global potential and associated costs at a high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we present a high-resolution global assessment of rooftop solar photovoltaics potential using big data, machine learning and geospatial analysis.

How much solar power does a rooftop solar system generate?

Previous studies had suggested modest rooftop PV potential, limiting solar power to 664 GW annual energy generation to 800 TWh. These values amount to just under a quarter of total U.S. electricity generation. However, these numbers were derived from analyses that lacked high-resolution geographical data and less-sophisticated computer simulations.

Could rooftop PV power the future of electricity generation?

Using the latest technology in computer modeling and geospatial analysis, NREL has now provided much more optimistic numbers that indicate rooftop PV could account for nearly half of all electricity generation in some states. A matter of lighting

Can rooftop solar power be used in high-density cities?

In sum, the approach developed in the current study appropriately estimate the potential of rooftop solar power generation, which can establish clean and low-carbon energy systems, including photovoltaic systems, for buildings in high-density cities.

Does rooftop PV have a technical potential?

NREL researchers tackled this question by looking at the technical potential of rooftop PV. Resource potential is the ultimate constraint on any energy technology: the amount of energy stored in sun rays hitting the Earth is the ultimate upper limit for solar power.