Google Is Helping 3 Cities Weigh the Solar Power Option

Mapping how much sun buildings get.

(Photo by Pujanak)

This is your first of three free stories this month. Become a free or sustaining member to read unlimited articles, webinars and ebooks.

Become A Member

Wondering whether your house gets enough sunlight to make solar panels worth it? Well, if you live in Boston, San Francisco or Fresno, you’re in luck. Google is launching an online tool for those three cities called Sunroof that will tell users how much sun hits each building, by entering a street address. If successful, the program could expand across the U.S. — at a time when many cities and states are considering the costs and benefits of solar energy more seriously.

Solar power increased by 41 percent in 2013 and 30 percent over that in 2014.

Solar panels are getting more affordable, which, combined with Google’s new database, could be the proof some city-dwellers need to be convinced that the sun is the way to go. Sunroof will help the curious figure the cost of installing panels, what type of energy yield they could expect and even point them to local experts if they’re ready to get started.

Google has a history of investing in green energy, including hundreds of millions in support of solar power.

Engadget tested out the service for AOL’s building in San Francisco.

It told us that we received 1,840 hours of usable sunlight per year. In addition, we learned that we have roughly 15,641 square feet of available space that we could use to install solar panels. It then took us through our options, letting us know that we’d save $14,000 if we leased the hardware, or $24,000 if we bought them outright.

Like what you’re reading? Get a browser notification whenever we post a new story. You’re signed-up for browser notifications of new stories. No longer want to be notified? Unsubscribe.

Jenn Stanley is a freelance journalist, essayist and independent producer living in Chicago. She has an M.S. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Follow Jenn .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tags: solar powerutilitiesgoogle

×
Next City App Never Miss A StoryDownload our app ×
×

You've reached your monthly limit of three free stories.

This is not a paywall. Become a free or sustaining member to continue reading.

  • Read unlimited stories each month
  • Our email newsletter
  • Webinars and ebooks in one click
  • Our Solutions of the Year magazine
  • Support solutions journalism and preserve access to all readers who work to liberate cities

Join 1096 other sustainers such as:

  • Anonymous in Grand Rapids, MI at $10/Month
  • Mike in Roseville, CA at $10.00/Month
  • Davis at $10/Month

Already a member? Log in here. U.S. donations are tax-deductible minus the value of thank-you gifts. Questions? Learn more about our membership options.

or pay by credit card:

All members are automatically signed-up to our email newsletter. You can unsubscribe with one-click at any time.

  • Donate $20 or $5/Month

    20th Anniversary Solutions of the Year magazine

has donated ! Thank you 🎉
Donate
×