Urban Solar Cadaster: Application in North Morocco

The aim of this work is to estimate the potential of the global solar radiation of roofs at the city of Mdiq, starting from the data of the photogrammetric restitution. Main characteristics of studied roofs are marked by a weak slope and orientation, which represents a common trait for the roofs of North of Morocco cities. The work was carried out firstly by creating a digital terrain model based on the altimetry data obtained from the photogrammetric restitution, followed by the generation of the roof height model. After calculating the average annual solar irradiation for each roof, we analyze the incidental shading from the distant shadow mask (relief) and the near shade mask (adjoining building). And then calculate the average theoretical sunshine duration of each roof per year. Analysis of the results through the superimposition of the shaded areas and the global solar irradiation received from each roof reveals that those with large areas and large heights receive a significant solar irradiation and therefore are the most favorable to shelter solar installations. The distant shade generated by the relief does not affect the area of study throughout the day from a 15 ° sunlight, whereas the near shade incident by the adjoining buildings records a higher degree in the afternoon than in the morning and touches large areas of the roofs because of the heights of buildings in the west. The average theoretical sunshine duration of each roof equals 8 hours of sunshine, which favors a PV installation.