Evaluación de la viabilidad para la integración de energía fotovoltaica en las estaciones Bicing de Barcelona

Abstract

This study analyses the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of integrating photovoltaic systems into Barcelona's Bicing stations, with the aim of reducing dependence on the conventional power grid and improving local sustainability. The proposal focuses on harnessing solar energy on-site to support the partial charging of electric bicycles, without compromising the daily operational flow of the system. To achieve this, an Annual Shading Index (ISA) has been developed to classify the 528 existing stations into four representative urban scenarios: open spaces, parks with trees, avenues with tall buildings, and narrow streets with dense vegetation. Based on this classification, twelve pilot stations were selected as a representative sample of each scenario. The analysis combines 3D simulations using HelioScope, spatial evaluation with QGIS and GRASS GIS, and validation through PVGIS and Google Street View, ensuring a realistic and detailed approach. The results show that stations located in open or semi-open areas (scenarios S0 and S1) are technically and economically viable, achieving photovoltaic coverage rates above 75% and reasonable payback periods. In contrast, stations with more than 30% shading (S2 and S3) present serious viability limitations. The sensitivity analysis and the calculation of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) were conducted exclusively on viable stations (S0 and S1), where the project proves to remain profitable even under adverse scenarios. This model has the potential to be scaled and replicated in other municipal infrastructures, making a tangible contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and supporting the advancement towards cleaner and more efficient micromobility in the city