Tool measures solar incidence levels of roof structures

The Swedish researchers have surveyed Gothenburg in their pilot project, which they believe is able to determine the maximum magnitude of solar incidence in a whole town, a neighbourhood or one particular roof.

‘The roof structures of a town may be more or less suitable for the installation of solar panels, depending on factors such as how much a particular roof is shadowed by surrounding buildings and vegetation, the gradient of the roof and the angle of incidence of sunlight,’ said Fredrik Lindberg of Gothenburg University’s Department of Earth Sciences.

‘It is now possible for the first time to determine how much solar energy a particular roof will receive during the year,’ he continued.

The scientists at the university have worked together with consultancy WSP to develop a geographical information system (GIS) that can calculate the suitability of a roof to house solar panels. The system is called SEES — Solar Energy from Existing Structures — and will be freely available to companies and municipalities.