Multi-objective optimization of distributed photovoltaics on building surfaces from visual impact

Abstract

Deployment of distributed building photovoltaic (PV) applications creates a complicated decision-making process to balance conflicting objectives with various constraints. As an important social component, visual impact is introduced into a multi-objective optimization framework together with performance-cost and spatial compactness as three objectives for the planning of distributed PV systems. The proposed framework is applied to a study case, located in Xi’an city, China, to present the main technical process for PV deployments on 4618 building surfaces. Considering the spatial heterogeneity of solar irradiation and visibility, optimal plans were achieved and representative solutions were discussed and visualized in a 3D environment. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed approach was verified in comparison with two heuristic planning methods. The multi-objective optimization framework provides an energy planning approach for distributed building PV deployments, enabling planners to make informed decisions that balance competing priorities among performance-cost, visual impact, and compactness.

Keywords

• distributed building photovoltaic (pv)
• visual impact
• solar irradiation
• multi-objective optimization
• energy planning