Rooftop photovoltaics potential assessment：A framework to integrate technological, economic, environmental and social benefit

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu, China

^* Corresponding author: upeswp@ujs.edu.cn

Abstract

Buildings have a significant impact on global and local energy demand and climate change. Consequently, the issue of photovoltaic (PV) potential assessment of building roofs have been extensively studied. Although studies have adopted different methods to predict the various potentials of rooftop PVs, as yet there is no understanding of a comprehensive framework for evaluating the potential of rooftop PVs. This study aims to develop a new framework to evaluate the technical, economic, environmental, and social benefits of rooftop PVs in old communities in Nanjing. The study found that the total annual electricity generation of rooftop PVs in the two districts of Nanjing was 431,136,314 KWh, which can meet about 20% of the residential electricity demand in the study area; the total electricity generation in the life cycle of 25 years was 5327909814 KWh; The economic benefit was 4.06 yuan/wp; the CO2 emission efficiency was 20.02%; the social benefit was 11.224 yuan/KWh. The results of this study will potential provide valuable reference suggestions for urban planners from the perspective of the benefits brought by rooftop PV in the two districts.