A Spatial Approach to Determine Solar PV Potential for Durham Homeowners
Abstract
At present time, solar powered technologies such as photovoltaic (PV) and thermal
heating systems supply less than one percent of energy needs in the United States.
While conventional forms of energy have proven to be more cost competitive, solar
systems can offer a promising alternative. This project examined this viability for
a residential neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina. In particular, the analysis
focused on the distribution of solar irradiance for fifty homes; each home’s distribution
was subsequently used to calculate the energy outputs and financial analysis for proposed
PV systems as well as determining the best place for each system to be built that
will maximize the system’s outputs and benefits. This type of analysis was possible
by modeling solar radiation in a three dimensional environment that combine remotely
sensed data, LIDAR-derived, with the spatial analytical capabilities of GIS. The
results from this project will ideally be used as the foundation for an informative
tool that will guide homeowners as they make decisions regarding solar PV systems.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3685Citation
Mulherin, Adam (2011). A Spatial Approach to Determine Solar PV Potential for Durham Homeowners. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3685.Collections
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