SPACES: An integrated spatial, mobility, and energy assessment framework for planning solar-powered electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sits at the nexus of urban transport and energy systems, yet transitions in these domains have largely evolved in parallel rather than in coordination. This disconnect risks constraining the pace and efficiency of urban electrification. This study examines the spatial and grid-level integration potential of photovoltaic (PV) solar canopies co-located with EV charging stations in urban environments. We introduce SPACES (Spatial Planning Assessment for Canopy-based EV Stations), a staged planning framework that integrates GIS-based spatial suitability analysis with zone-substation-level grid capacity screening to support evidence-based deployment of solar-powered EV charging infrastructure. Using Brisbane, Australia as a testbed, the framework identifies 156 highly suitable parking locations for PV-assisted EV charging, with 10 representative sites evaluated in depth across high-turnover and Park-and-Ride (PnR) contexts. Results indicate that PV canopy systems at these sites can collectively generate approximately 1.93 GWh annually, supporting up to 38 AC chargers and serving more than 31,000 vehicles per year. Substation-level screening did not identify evident upstream capacity constraints for most shortlisted sites with complete data; however, site connection feasibility remains subject to feeder-, transformer- and power-flow-level assessment. The findings demonstrate that systems-based spatial planning offers cities a practical, scalable, and replicable pathway for deploying solar-integrated EV charging infrastructure while reducing grid-connection risk and supporting coordinated urban decarbonisation.