Ashmeera Dahal

As traditional fossil fuels become increasingly scarce, the prioritization of renewable energy sources, like solar power, has gained significant importance in today's global landscape. This research introduces a novel method for simulating solar radiation across rooftops at Paschimanchal Campus, utilizing Photogrammetry and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to estimate solar photovoltaic (PV) potential. The approach employs an object-based technique to accurately extract and categorize buildings, leveraging high-resolution data such as orthophotos, UAV-derived Digital Surface Models, and Digital Terrain Models. To ensure precise projections of solar panel efficacy, it is crucial to evaluate solar radiation, with the conversion of this radiation into solar PV potential contingent on the panel's technical attributes, such as whether it employs monocrystalline or polycrystalline technology. Consequently, a comparative analysis is conducted, pitting the calculated expense of solar panel implementation against the cost of grid-based electricity within the study area. The findings reveal that among the buildings' rooftops, 18 locations are exceptionally suitable for solar panel deployment, offering a combined usable area of 4303.67 square meters. In terms of power generation, the study area is projected to produce 868 MWh/yr and 1274 MWh/yr using polycrystalline and monocrystalline technologies, respectively. Remarkably, just 1428.42 square meters of the identified suitable area would suffice to meet Paschimanchal Campus's annual energy requirements. In the case of polycrystalline technology, approximately 876 panels are needed, with an associated cost of NRS.1,57,68,000. Through a cost analysis spanning a decade, the study concludes that solar energy is poised to outperform grid-based electricity by NRS.1,04,10,785, thereby emerging as a more cost-effective and sustainable energy alternative.