Assessment of photovoltaic potential on sloped roofs on ecuatorial-andean housing typology.

Abstract

Renewable energy production from solar source on cities is an alternative to reduce pollution and combat climate change. A hundred sloped roofs in the central urban area in Cuenca, Ecuador were analysed, these buildings are located in the Andes near the equator with optimal conditions for energy selfsupply due to its low energy demands and high and stable level of irradiation through the year. In this study, the monthly consumption of 2016 electricity data were characterized. 3D polygons from sloped roof configuration are obtained and with this, the amount of usable solar radiation. With available roof surface, orientation, and inclination, electricity generation based on photovoltaic performance is estimated comparing two technologies, which are architectural alternatives for overlapping or for architectural integration. A potential net supply of 5,7 times the current electrical demand is found with monocrystalline photovoltaic panels according to its typical commercial format, whereas that of photovoltaic roof tiles reach 2,1 times. In addition, production-demand average imbalances are found on monthly and daily periods.