Evaluation of energy generation and economic sustainability of solar panels in urban environments utilizing GIS and PV*SOL Premium: A case study in Bologna, Italy

Reaching the European Commission’s rooftop-solar target of 560 GW by 2050 demands precise building-level analysis beyond broad mapping. This study presents and validates a detailed workflow for urban photovoltaic (PV) assessment, integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with PV*SOL Premium simulations, and evaluates the influence of roof types and urban morphology. Rather than relying on generalized, area-based estimates, this method utilizes detailed 3D simulations and geometric assessments of rooftops in Bologna, Italy. Roof segments with low technical performance or excessive shading are excluded, thus reducing common overestimations associated with simpler approaches. As a result, the workflow provides a clearer evaluation of both technical and economic feasibility for large-scale rooftop solar deployment. Key indicators such as energy yield, shading losses, performance ratio, return on investment, and payback period are considered. On average, this method achieved a return on investment of 6.83% and an annual CO₂ emission reduction of nearly 197,500 kilograms. Although demonstrated specifically in Bologna, this workflow can be adapted for other cities with similar urban characteristics. These findings offer practical benchmarks for more reliable urban solar planning.