Dataset Overview
This dataset shows the suitability of domestic and non-domestic properties for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels.
The dataset takes into account the property type, roof type, roof size, roof surface information, roof orientation and roof inclination to calculate the viable roof area, estimated peak capacity (kWp) and estimated yearly outturn (kWh) of a PV array installed on the roof.
A roof is considered suitable if it has enough space to support a minimum of a 1.5 kWp capacity system (or 6 PV panels) and has an orientation of between 120o and 240o or is a flat roof (i.e., having an incline slope of less than 5°).
Figure: Yellow shows a building suitable for PV installation, Grey shows a building that is unsuitable.
The dataset is developed from three primary sources of data:
Building data sourced from Ordnance Survey MasterMap
Ordnance Survey AddressBase, employed for determining building topography and type information.
Digital Surface Model (DSM) raster files with a 1-meter resolution, obtained from the Department for Environmental, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Figure: A 3D representation of the Digital Surface Model (DSM)
The core foundation of the dataset relies on the DSM, which allows the calculation of roof characteristics. The analysis encompasses the determination of orientation, expressed in degrees within the range of 0° to 360°, with a southern orientation represented at 180° as well as the calculation of inclined slope values ranging from 0° (indicating flat) to 90°.
Under the current methodology, roofs with an inclination of greater than 5° and falling within the orientation range of 120° to 240° (between Southeast and Southwest, indicating maximum potential) or roofs having a slope of less than 5° (i.e., flat roofs) with any orientation are considered suitable.
The usable roof area is calculated by removing a 0.5 m buffer around the edge of the building polygon, and accounting for pitch and roof obstacles. The recommended array size is then calculated based on the usable roof area. The Peak Electricity Capacity (kWp) is calculated by combining the recommended array size with the efficiency factor.
The Peak Electricity Capacity is used to determine the Annual Generation (kWh).
The Peak Electricity Capacity and the orientation of the roof is then used to determine the suitability of a building for PV installation.
Assumptions
Some building polygons are simplified due to the complex topography of the buildings.
The average pitch of a roof is assumed to be 40o and rooftop furniture is assumed to be similar across all buildings.
A conversion factor of 1 kWp = 850 kWh per year is used to calculate the Annual Generation from the Peak Electricity Capacity.
An average solar panel is assumed to have a capacity of 0.25 kWp and a size of 1.6 m2.
Sources
Fields
Field Name | Field Description |
UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number |
Primary Code Description | Ordnance Survey Primary Classification Code. |
Overall Suitability | Denotes the overall suitability of the property for rooftop PV installation. |
Recommended Array Size [kW] | The maximum array size that can be installed on the roof. |
Annual Generation [kWh] | The expected annual electricity generated by the maximum capacity PV system deployable in the rooftop. |
Roof orientation from the North [degrees] | The calculated orientation of the roof from north. |
Rooftop area suitable for PV system [m^2] | Total roof area on which PV panels may be installed. |
Peak Electricity Capacity [kWp] | The maximum capacity of a PV system deployable on the rooftop |