Can solar photovoltaic power generation be mapped using open satellite data?

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is a vital renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality. Previous studies which explored mapping PV using open satellite data mainly focus in remote areas. However, the complexity of land cover types can bring much difficulty in PV identification.

Are photovoltaic power plants feasible at high altitude?

The rising demand for sustainable energy requires to identify the sites for photovoltaic systems with the best performance. This paper tackles the question of feasibility of photovoltaic power plants at high altitude. A direct comparison between an alpine and an urban area site is conducted in the south of Austria.

Can solar power be harvested in mountainous areas?

An economic aspect of solar power harvesting in mountainous areas is the cost of land. Prices of high altitude parcels could be expected to be lower due to their remote locations. Steep slopes and high distances to socio-economic centers make it less attractive for residential building projects.

Can remote sensing data transfer PV detection between rural and urbanized coastal areas?

This study investigated detecting PV in diverse landscapes using freely accessible remote sensing data, aiming to evaluate the transferability of PV detection between rural and urbanized coastal area. We developed a random forest-based PV classifier on Google Earth Engine in two provinces of China.

Why is remote sensing important for solar photovoltaics in China?

Solar photovoltaics (PV) are rapidly expanding in China as a popular renewable energy technology. Medium resolution remote sensing (RS) plays an important role in monitoring the spatial distribution of PV. As China is a country with vast and diverse landscapes, the classifier trained in small areas may have poor performance, to a large extent.

Why is aerial photography important?

The photographer tells Fortune that he often sees unintentional artistic beauty in the way humans interact with the planet in large-scale ways. “ [Aerial photography] shows dimensions and reveals insights we wouldn’t be able to see from the ground,” the photographer says.