GPU-Based Dynamic Solar Potential Estimation Tool Using 3D Plans

Abstract

Estimations of the solar potential from the building design files may affect placement considerations in favor of more sunlight reception that reduces the energy costs and saves the environment. In this study, a GPU based system (GPU-DSRM) is proposed to estimate direct and diffuse solar radiation aggregated on 3D structures at urban or individual scale. In the proposed approach, finite element method, back-face detection and ray-tracing algorithms are customized to run in parallel to reduce the execution time. Thus, real-time shadow analysis with adjustable sampling rate and time scale can be performed without compromising precision and accuracy of the estimations. The most important novel aspect of the study is that it can be used anywhere in the world without the need for meteorological data. Some of the test results obtained from a site with 10 buildings are presented in this paper that shows a speedup value of 45 with the new GPU-based implementation compared to the CPU-based model. The GPU-DSRM tool has also been compared with geometric tools in the literature. Solar energy potential analysis of building designs or existing urban formations can be completed faster and more precisely with this new approach.