Geospatial Analysis: A basic dynamic for today’s Solar Developers

“The Future is Green Energy, Sustainability, Renewable Energy”   – Arnold Schwarzenegger
 

In an era of blooming greenhouse emissions and a high demand for Renewable Energy (RE) sources, the sustainable use of the conventional energy supplies is the foremost concern. Also quantifying and understanding the potential for a particular energy source has become crucial as it can help informed policy decisions, educate consumers, drive technological development, increase manufacturing capacity, and improve marketing methods.

 

This blog discuss about the solar power industry, an incredibly fast-growing industry, in the realm of all conventional source of energy. Solar development has seen 50% growth year-over-year during the last decade, with an extraordinary number of new developments being built all the time. In India, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India (GOI) has launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), to set up of 175 GW of environment friendly renewable energy power by 2022. As part of National Solar Mission, 100 GW of solar energy is proposed, out of which 60 GW is grid connected large scale power plants and the remaining 40 GW is both grid and off-grid rooftop power plants.

 

Now let’s shed some light on how Geospatial Analysis deems it useful in solar development especially when used in conjunction with new, developing technologies such as UAVs.

 

 

As we know, a survey is necessary before commencement of any large scale project. Earlier these surveys were to be done manually on foot, or by plane or helicopter. This meant a high cost and longer time and finally a delayed project.

 

Today, instead of using old school paper maps and marking the X spot, GIS Technology can mark the spot rapidly, efficiently and effectively. With the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), large areas survey can be done slashing the survey time. Laser scanning technologies can capture geospatial information accurately and precisely, reducing the rework time.

 

Again, it allows to survey areas which are inaccessible or potentially dangerous thus minimizing the risk and hazard associated with the project.

Accurate survey leads to better planning which leads to reduced cost throughout the construction process.
 

 

 

In looking for solar locations, project developers must check off a list of attributes to make the project viable and affordable. Developers need sites that are:

 

•Large, relatively flat, non-forested upland.
•Close to existing utility substations and transmission lines that can receive the power generated by the proposed development, without a significant cost to upgrade.
•Not within, or adjacent to:
   •Sensitive habitats
   •100-year-flood zones
   •Conservation lands
   •Or known cultural resource sites

 

GIS integrates multi-disciplinary datasets for precise determination of the potential zones. A 3D model of terrain has become an integral part of the development process. With these models of terrain, changes that are going to be made can be predicted, which improves construction planning and costing. Within simulations, it’s possible to test the positioning of solar panels over time, considering  weather effects and seasons too, to determine the most effective placement overall. Well positioned panels will result in more energy generation, thus a peak in its production process.

 

Solar Radiation and solar energy estimation can be done with GIS. The solar irradiation data (GHI and DNI), LULC and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) are used in GIS environment while employing land-use criteria and topography for mapping solar energy potential of the area. Suitable Roofs for Utilization of Solar Energy can be determined by mapping parameters like area, average slope, average aspect, yearly average total solar radiation, and yearly average solar illumination duration of individual roof planes

 

Left image shows the mapping of all parameters for identifying suitable places for rooftop solar panel installation. The right image shows how rooftop locations are filtered e.g. removing rooftop with slope more than 45 degree, to obtain the best fit. Dark color shows areas with high solar radiation.

 

 

Location finding for such projects is also affected by social factors like public resistance towards the project in their locality. GIS helps to produce maps from social acceptance data from surveys in the most suitable areas, and thus reduce the time, money, and resources currently allocated toward finding and assessing areas of high solar power suitability.

Social Acceptance Model showing low acceptance (light areas) to high acceptance (darker areas).

 

 

 

 

Solar panels need to be regularly maintained for its proper functioning. Panels can overheat due to uneven light distribution or may be affected by buildup of dust/debris. After storms and other potentially dangerous events, inspection of panels is required. Geospatial imaging can helps in maintenance of these solar panels. It can be used to detect issues with large solar panel installations. UAVs combined with sensors, can detect even things that aren’t detectable by the human eye, like abnormal heat fluctuation, giving its exact location. Thus it aid in regular and thorough upkeep of performances output of the solar panels.
 

Dirt, bird droppings, pollution and leaves, are the most common causes of power losses on solar panels. “Hot Spots" also causes irreversible damage to solar panels affecting performance of the solar panels. GIS helps to detect and solve such setbacks right away. Left image shows detection of hot spot area and in the right image an UAV is inspecting solar panels.

 

 
Summary

 

The performance of solar power projects depend on location-based variables, implying the need for geospatial analysis to find the best fit. Geospatial technology is proving to be an essential component of decision making process for the solar developers. The ongoing and increasingly enhanced observations about these energy sources will continue to improve the quality of the analysis and hence the performances. Solar energy production is the way of the future provided it is efficient, affordable and reliable. The move to this renewable energy is definitely “ON”.