Solar resource modelling and shading tolerant modules for the urban environment

The deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems in urban environments has the potential to supply a significant share of the urban energy demand and help us reduce greenhouse emissions in the hope of alleviating the consequences of climate change. Moreover, recent advancements in the integration of PV technology into multi-functional architectural elements, offer the possibility to deploy solar cells almost on every surface of the urban fabric.
In this dissertation, the solar energy potential of the urban environments and approaches for improving the performance of urban PV systems are investigated. The first part of this thesis is focused on computational models to evaluate the solar radiation reaching a PV system in complex geometric environments. The second part, delves into the effects of partial shading on the electrical output of PV systems and proposes strategies to increase the shading tolerance of PV modules....