Analysis of Web-Based Solar Photovoltaic Mapping Tools

Abstract

As the demand for renewable energy has grown, so too has the need to quantify the potential for these resources. Understanding the potential for a particular energy source can help inform policy decisions, educate consumers, drive technological development, increase manufacturing capacity, and improve marketing methods. In response to the desire to better understand the potential of clean energy technologies, several approaches have been developed to help inform decisions. One technology-specific example is the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) maps. A solar PV mapping tool visually represents a specific site and calculates PV system size and projected electricity production. This paper identifies the commercially available solar mapping tools and provides a thorough summary of the source data type and resolution, the visualization software program being used, user inputs, calculation methodology and algorithms, map outputs, and development costs for each map.