QGIS Outperformed ArcGIS in Solar Mapping Study
Researchers found QGIS provided more accurate rooftop solar potential estimates compared to ArcGIS Pro.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Geography
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A recent study comparing QGIS and ArcGIS Pro found that QGIS produced more accurate solar energy estimates. The findings suggest that the integration of specific atmospheric factors in QGIS yields more reliable results than those generated by ArcGIS Pro.
Why it matters
Accurate solar mapping is essential for urban energy planning, as miscalculations can lead to flawed expectations for renewable energy capacity. This comparative study highlights how software-specific modeling choices significantly influence the predicted efficiency of rooftop photovoltaic systems.
The study utilized QGIS r.sun and ArcGIS Pro Raster Solar Radiation tools to assess three distinct urban areas. QGIS results aligned more closely with the PVGIS solar assessment tool than those from ArcGIS Pro.
The players
QGIS
This is a professional open-source geographic information system that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data.
ArcGIS Pro
This is a professional desktop geographic information system application developed by Esri for mapping and spatial analysis.
European Union
This political and economic union is developing the Digital Building Stock Model to facilitate large-scale rooftop solar mapping.
The details
QGIS r.sun accounts for the Linke turbidity factor and spatial variations in atmospheric conditions, whereas ArcGIS Pro failed to incorporate reflected solar radiation in its calculations. These modeling differences led ArcGIS Pro to consistently overestimate potential photovoltaic production across all tested environments.
Timeline
ArcGIS Pro recorded production peaks during May, June, and October.
QGIS production reached its annual peak in July.
The Big Picture
This research provides a necessary methodological validation for the European Union's Digital Building Stock Model. By identifying the limitations in existing GIS tools, the study ensures that future large-scale rooftop solar deployments are based on accurate energy potential estimates.
This study indicates that urban planners and energy firms should be cautious when selecting software to estimate rooftop solar output. Relying on tools that omit key atmospheric factors could result in significant discrepancies between projected and actual energy production.
The takeaway
Selecting the right geographic software is a critical step in optimizing renewable energy investments. Planners should verify that their chosen tools account for variables like atmospheric turbidity to avoid systemic production errors.
Further reading
Learn more about the technical applications of mapping in our Geography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Green Building Africa.
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