Combining point cloud and surface methods for modeling partial shading impacts of trees on urban solar irradiance

• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113420
• Publication Date: 2023-08-23T15:44:59Z
• Authors: B. Tian; R.C.G.M. Loonen; J.L.M. Hensen
• Keywords: Shading; Daylight; Tree (set theory)

Although trees and urban vegetation have a significant influence on solar irradiation in the built environment, their impact daylight energy consumption is often not considered building performance environment simulation studies. This paper presents novel method for comprehensive irradiance assessment that considers dynamic partial shading impacts from trees. The proposed takes point clouds as input consists of three subsequent steps: (a) DGCNN-based segmentation, (b) fusion model generation, (c) matrix-based calculation. validated by comparing outputs with field measurement data, an inter-model comparison eleven state-of-the-art tree modeling approaches. Analyses carried out daily long-term basis show can significantly reduce errors compared to alternative approaches, while limiting required data minimum. primary source uncertainty stems mismatches between morphology reality, attributable phenological growth seasonal variations.