Google can test your home’s solar eligibility
Google has released a new tool that can determine whether your home is viable for solar power.
The search engine recently introduced the software, called Project Sunroof, which shows users the amount of usable sunlight your home receives per year, your square footage of available solar panel space, and the projected savings you could save over a 20-year period with solar power installed. All you have to do is enter your address.
When you enter your address, your home is shown in infrared vision, indicating the amount of sunlight that hits your roof’s surface. It takes into account the amount of solar radiation in your area, plus cloud and temperature patterns and nearby shade.
The program even recommends the size of solar panels you should consider based on your average monthly energy bills and gives you the contact information for a solar company near you.
At this time, only San Francisco, Fresno, and Boston have searchable addresses, but Project Sunroof will likely expand internationally after covering the rest of the US.
In the meantime, a similar program exists in Australia courteousy of the Australian PV Institute.
Related links:
Why retirement marks the perfect time to switch to solar energy
Does my home qualify for solar power?
How solar power can save you money