Google’s Project Sunroof - Mapping the Planet’s Solar Energy Potential, One Rooftop at a Time

Sept. 23, 2015

The Google Green Blog always provides some interesting nuggets about new green ventures that Google is working on. The latest post features Project SunRoof, a new online tool the company is testing that may help homeowners find out if they should go solar.

Carl Elkin, the engineering lead for Project Sunroof, said in this post, “The cost of solar power is at a record low. A typical solar home can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year on their electricity bill. But, as a volunteer with the Boston-based solar program Solarize Massachusetts and a solar homeowner myself, I’ve always been surprised at how many people I encounter who think that “my roof isn’t sunny enough for solar,” or “solar is just too expensive.” Certainly many of them are missing out on a chance to save money and be green.

“Project Sunroof is a new online tool we’re testing to help homeowners explore whether they should go solar. Available in the San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno (in central California), and the Boston area for now, the tool uses high-resolution aerial mapping (the same used by Google Earth) to help you calculate your roof’s solar energy potential, without having to climb up any ladders.”

Click here for more information on Project Sunroof.