Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan

With global carbon emissions continuing to rise and urban energy demands growing steadily, understanding how urban block morphology impacts building photovoltaic (PV) efficiency and energy consumption has become crucial for sustainable urban development and climate change mitigation. Current researc...

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Main Authors: Ruoyao Wang, Yanyan Huang, Guoliang Zhang, Yi Yang, Qizhi Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1118
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author Ruoyao Wang
Yanyan Huang
Guoliang Zhang
Yi Yang
Qizhi Dong
author_facet Ruoyao Wang
Yanyan Huang
Guoliang Zhang
Yi Yang
Qizhi Dong
author_sort Ruoyao Wang
collection DOAJ
description With global carbon emissions continuing to rise and urban energy demands growing steadily, understanding how urban block morphology impacts building photovoltaic (PV) efficiency and energy consumption has become crucial for sustainable urban development and climate change mitigation. Current research primarily focuses on individual building optimization, while block-scale coupling relationships between PV utilization and energy consumption remain underexplored. This study developed an integrated prediction and optimization tool using deep learning and physical simulation to assess how urban block design parameters (building morphology, orientation, and layout) affect PV efficiency and energy performance. Through a methodology combining block modeling, PV potential assessment, and energy consumption simulation, the research quantified relationships between design parameters, PV utilization, and energy consumption. Results demonstrate that appropriate building forms and layouts reduce shadow obstruction, enhance PV system capability, and simultaneously improve PV efficiency while reducing energy consumption. The tool provides improved prediction accuracy, enabling urban planners to scientifically design block layouts that maximize PV generation and minimize energy use. Extensive experimental validation demonstrates that the integrated model and analytical methods proposed in this study will help urban planners break through the limitations of individual building research, making PV-energy consumption optimization analysis at the block scale possible, and providing scientific basis for achieving low-carbon transformation and sustainable energy development in the building sector.
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series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-e0438f2611f14c8d93e44994aaa2f8ac2025-08-20T03:06:32ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-03-01157111810.3390/buildings15071118Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of WuhanRuoyao Wang0Yanyan Huang1Guoliang Zhang2Yi Yang3Qizhi Dong4School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaWith global carbon emissions continuing to rise and urban energy demands growing steadily, understanding how urban block morphology impacts building photovoltaic (PV) efficiency and energy consumption has become crucial for sustainable urban development and climate change mitigation. Current research primarily focuses on individual building optimization, while block-scale coupling relationships between PV utilization and energy consumption remain underexplored. This study developed an integrated prediction and optimization tool using deep learning and physical simulation to assess how urban block design parameters (building morphology, orientation, and layout) affect PV efficiency and energy performance. Through a methodology combining block modeling, PV potential assessment, and energy consumption simulation, the research quantified relationships between design parameters, PV utilization, and energy consumption. Results demonstrate that appropriate building forms and layouts reduce shadow obstruction, enhance PV system capability, and simultaneously improve PV efficiency while reducing energy consumption. The tool provides improved prediction accuracy, enabling urban planners to scientifically design block layouts that maximize PV generation and minimize energy use. Extensive experimental validation demonstrates that the integrated model and analytical methods proposed in this study will help urban planners break through the limitations of individual building research, making PV-energy consumption optimization analysis at the block scale possible, and providing scientific basis for achieving low-carbon transformation and sustainable energy development in the building sector.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1118urban block formphotovoltaic utilizationbuilding energy consumptiondeep learningcoupled optimization simulationsimulation study
spellingShingle Ruoyao Wang
Yanyan Huang
Guoliang Zhang
Yi Yang
Qizhi Dong
Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan
Buildings
urban block form
photovoltaic utilization
building energy consumption
deep learning
coupled optimization simulation
simulation study
title Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan
title_full Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan
title_fullStr Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan
title_short Optimizing Urban Block Morphology for Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Utilization: Case Study of Wuhan
title_sort optimizing urban block morphology for energy efficiency and photovoltaic utilization case study of wuhan
topic urban block form
photovoltaic utilization
building energy consumption
deep learning
coupled optimization simulation
simulation study
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1118
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AT yanyanhuang optimizingurbanblockmorphologyforenergyefficiencyandphotovoltaicutilizationcasestudyofwuhan
AT guoliangzhang optimizingurbanblockmorphologyforenergyefficiencyandphotovoltaicutilizationcasestudyofwuhan
AT yiyang optimizingurbanblockmorphologyforenergyefficiencyandphotovoltaicutilizationcasestudyofwuhan
AT qizhidong optimizingurbanblockmorphologyforenergyefficiencyandphotovoltaicutilizationcasestudyofwuhan