Shading Effects on Photovoltaic Systems in Electricity Billing: A Case Study in a Neighborhood of a Metropolitan Region Sao Paulo, Brazil

In several countries, metropolitan regions offer a more significant number of services that make them attractive for building new houses. Because of geographic restrictions, the construction of residential vertical buildings is growing. These buildings cast shadows on nearby residences, reducing the generation of residential photovoltaic systems. This work presents a case study that shows the reduction of photovoltaic solar energy generation due to the shading effect of nearby ver-tical buildings. This reduction impacts the revenues accounted for in the electricity billing of initial adopters who have not yet recovered the investment made. The methodologies used in the case study are composed of three modules: process geo-referenced information, estimate the decrease in photovoltaic generation, and determine the increase in electricity bills for residential consumers. The study is conducted in the Jardim Santo Alberto neighborhood in Santo André, Sao Paulo - Brazil. The results of this case study show a yearly increase in the residential consumer's electricity bill of $ 27.85. In addition, the shading effect would increase the electricity bill by approximately 50% of the expected value when installing a photovoltaic system compared to the values obtained without shading. The results can assist in the sustainable planning of metropolitan regions in countries experiencing vertical growth. Likewise, it can draw the attention of distribution companies to the energy purchased to supply consumers' electricity demand with photovoltaic systems in areas with vertical development.