An Evaluation of the Rooftop Technical Solar Potential to Meet the Challenges of Electric Vehicles Uptake in Mauritius

In this research paper, an assessment of the rooftop technical solar potential is made to meet the predicted electric vehicle uptake in Mauritius by 2030. A strategic GIS-based approach is adopted to estimate the available rooftop surface of buildings for solar power generation from photovoltaic cells to charge four-wheelers' batteries. The framework has been split into three scenarios of EV uptake namely slow, medium and fast growths in the future EV fleet with an average battery of size of 40 kWh and a daily energy autonomy for 30 km revealed through a survey. Five sites have been identified around the island. Simulation results show that in order to satisfy the demand for EV vehicles, grid-tied PV modules need to be installed on 682,184 m² of the available rooftops for slow growth, 294,109 $m$²for medium growth, and 511,773 m² for rapid growth in 5 strategic zones identified around the island. The most optimistic uptake will require only 0.8% of all rooftop surfaces available as residential, commercial and industrial. Finally, it can be deduced that even if 100% of the battery capacity of average EV cars in 2030 is supplied, only about 6.4% of the total available rooftop surface needs to be covered with grid-tied PV modules to meet the demand.