The Effect of Morphology on Solar Potential of High-Density Residential Area: A Case Study of Shanghai

This study explores the relationship between the morphology and solar potential of high-density areas in the subtropics high density city known as Shanghai. 1260 parametric scenarios were modeled and their solar irradiation potentials were simulated via a customized workflow. In addition to the five well-known morphological parameters, this study proposed two innovative morphological parameters SSU600 and SSU400, which captured the solar receiving properties of the building envelopes and could be easily calculated based on the meteorological data. For analytical purposes, the previously morphological parameters were considered as independent variables, whereas the new solar performance indicators SRU600 and SRU400 were both examined as dependent variables. The correlation analysis results suggested that the new morphological parameters displayed a strong linear correlation with the corresponding solar performance indicators, surpassing all the other morphological parameters. Two prediction models with respect to SRU600 and SRU400 were developed by multiple linear regressions using a stepwise method and their validity was verified by real residential cases. The findings provide key morphological parameters and rapid calculation tools for establishing solar energy friendly urban planning and design.