A Holistic Multi-Criteria Assessment of Solar Energy Utilization on Urban Surfaces

Hassan Gholami ()
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Hassan Gholami: City and Regional Planning Group, Institute of Safety, Economics and Planning, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-35

Abstract: Urban surfaces such as rooftops, facades, and infrastructure offer significant potential for solar energy integration, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability in cities. This article introduces an advanced multi-criteria assessment (MCA) framework designed to evaluate the suitability of various urban surfaces for solar energy deployment. The framework extends beyond traditional economic, environmental, and technological factors to include social, political, legal, health and safety, cultural, and psychological dimensions, providing a comprehensive evaluation of photovoltaic (PV) applications in urban contexts. By synthesizing existing literature and applying this holistic MCA framework, this research offers valuable insights for urban planners, architects, and policymakers, enabling strategic optimization of solar energy integration in urban environments. The findings underscore the importance of sustainable urban development and climate resilience, highlighting key factors influencing solar technology deployment and proposing actionable recommendations to address existing challenges.

Keywords: multi-criteria assessment; MCA; solar energy; building-attached PV; BAPV; building-integrated PV; BIPV; urban planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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