Rooftop Photovoltaic Potential Estimation Using QGIS and Simple Building Shadow Analysis

This paper is designed to offer a straightforward yet efficient approximation of the potential of photovoltaic systems on urban rooftops, utilizing only open-source software and publicly accessible data. The proposed approach is demonstrated in a representative location in Bratislava, Slovakia. Despite the numerous publications in related fields, only a handful disclose the precise procedures and functions employed in the software, or the computational heart of a portion of the estimation is a paid feature. By applying our approach, it is feasible to acquire fundamental irradiation parameters and photovoltaic production in the region. A key strength of this model is its adaptability and the simplicity of altering any computational parameter. The extension of the team’s previous efforts in this area is mostly in the building shadow implementation into the process. The results and constraints of the suggested approach are examined, and recommendations for future improvements are made.