A new solar mapping Web portal estimates the solar potential for every commercial and residential roof in San Francisco, and allows building owners to visualize the potential environmental benefits and monetary savings that would result from installing solar energy panels on their property.
Developed by CH2M HILL Enterprise Management Solutions and the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment, it uses Google Maps as a visualization platform.
Users can enter a San Francisco address and see an aerial view of that address. By clicking on the image of the building, users are provided with the following information:
— The estimated amount of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy that could be installed on the roof;
— The estimated amount of solar PV energy that could be generated at that site;
— Potential electricity cost reduction resulting from the solar PV installation;
— Estimated cost of installing a solar PV system, before and after state and federal incentives;
— Potential carbon dioxide/greenhouse gas (CO2) reduction as a result of installing a solar PV system;
— Case studies of other San Francisco businesses and homeowners who have already installed solar PV systems and their stories; and
— Information about how to install a solar PV system, including contact information for local solar installers.
The San Francisco Solar Map solution is replicable for use in other cities and counties throughout the world.
Said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, “By using our solar mapping program, residents and businesses can quickly determine whether specific photovoltaic projects will pencil out, which is the first step to getting more renewable energy in the city.”
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