Exploiting the solar photovoltaic potential of metropolitan areas with congested networks

The long-term urban development concept of Budapest, Hungary emphasizes the necessity of increasing renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, aligning with the Climate Strategy's goal to boost solar photovoltaic capacities from 200 MW to 1, 500 MW by 2030. The city has established a solar cadastre, revealing a maximal technical potential of 5, 000 MW, which is significantly more than the estimated uptake capacity of the already congested electric network. The grid itself is also transforming; ongoing infrastructural developments include residential and office buildings, commercial centres, and land projects, each with varying power requirements, and the rise in new technologies, heat pumps, electric cars, and air conditioners further influences energy demand. Districts IX, XI, XIII are anticipated to experience substantial power growth. However, Budapest's substations face challenges such as a lack of transformation capacity, insufficient medium-voltage feeders, and available land. Thus, the optimal allocation of new photovoltaic capacities within the city is crucial. The study categorizes residential buildings based on structure, geometry, cost, and construction time for solar plant installation. Districts XVIII, XVII, III demonstrate the highest solar potential due to their expansive areas and diverse building structures. Districts I, V, VI exhibit the lowest potential, hindered by regulatory restrictions on installation.