At the invitation of Prof. Nian Yanyun from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Postdoctoral Researcher Zhang Kai from Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, visited our university for academic exchange and delivered a lecture on September 16, 2025.
Title: Assessment of Urban Distributed Photovoltaic Potential and Exploration of Its Applications
Reporter: Dr. Zhang Kai, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Time: 9:00-12:00, September 16, 2025 (Tuesday)
Venue: Meeting Room 501, Qilian Hall, Chengguan Campus, Lanzhou University
Moderator: Prof. Nian Yanyun, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University
Reporter Profile:
Zhang Kai is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research interest is spatial modeling of solar radiation, photovoltaic potential assessment, and geo-artificial intelligence (GeoAI).
In recent years, Dr. Zhang has published five papers as first author in top-tier (Q1) SCI journals and has co-authored 17 SCI papers in internationally renowned journals, including Nature Communications, Science Bulletin, and Scientific Data. He previously presided over a graduate research innovation project funded by Jiangsu Province. Currently, he serves as Secretary of the Young Geographers Working Group of the Asian Geographical Association and has been invited to review for journals such as Information Geography and Springer Nature Computer Science.
Report Abstract:
Distributed photovoltaic systems, known for their flexible deployment, low carbon emissions, and high efficiency, are gradually becoming a key pillar in the transition of urban energy structures. Urban environments contain abundant spatial resources suitable for photovoltaic installations, such as building rooftops, facades, and roadside noise barriers. However, accurately identifying their potential for photovoltaic and assessing economic feasibility remain significant challenges.
This report focuses on assessing the photovoltaic potential of urban-scale buildings and transportation infrastructures, introducing systematically key processes including spatial modeling of solar radiation, building shadow simulation, and photovoltaic potential estimation. The talk further explores the development potential and application models of photovoltaic in typical urban spaces, providing technical support and decision-making references for low-carbon urban energy planning.
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University
September 23, 2025
