What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to create a method for accurately simulating solar irradiance on buildings in urban areas.

April 27, 2026Open Access

Simulation of Solar Irradiance Distribution on Buildings using City Digital Twin

Key Points

The research aims to create a method for accurately simulating solar irradiance on buildings in urban areas.
Utilized a digital twin of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for simulation.
Conducted optical simulations under clear-sky conditions on July 1, 2025, from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Analyzed solar irradiance distribution across building surfaces.
Approximately 5% of the surface area received more than 3.7 kWh/m² of daily global solar irradiance.
Less than 50% of the area exceeded 3.0 kWh/m².
The method assists in effective photovoltaic placement to enhance energy yield.

Abstract

This study proposes a digital twin–based method for large-scale optical simulation in urban environments. A digital twin of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and surrounding buildings was used to simulate the building’s surface solar irradiance on 1 July 2025 (5:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.) under clear-sky conditions. Results showed that about 5% of the surface area received more than 3.7 kWh/m² of daily global solar irradiance, while less than 50% exceeded 3.0 kWh/m². The method enables precise simulation of solar irradiance while accounting for complex urban geometries, supporting strategic photovoltaic placement to maximize energy yield.

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