Temperate cities like Singapore or Hong Kong are well suited for expanded applications of solar energy. With developments in semi-transparent photovoltaic-cells, we may soon see glass building façades transformed into harvesters of solar energy while simultaneously providing passive shading.
Focusing on previously under-explored factors such as the albedo (reflectivity) of the urban landscape, we propose a model to more fully assess the spatiotemporal variation in the solar potential of cities: from the roof-tops and facades down to the street-level.
The results suggest that cities with high densities of tall buildings and erratic fluctuations in height, such as New York and Singapore, possess large degrees of un-tapped solar potential.
The model can support local governments in strategizing urban developments and provide decision making support for energy harvesting initiatives.
