Google has launched a program called Project Sunroof (Website) where homeowners can see what sort of potential their house has to generate solar power. Google does this by taking information from their Google Maps database and translating it into maps that analyze hot spots and the movement of the sun.
Project Sunroof users simply type in their address to receive illustrations of how many solar panels can be installed on their home and how much they would save if they maximized their solar installation. Sunroof will also point you in the direction of your nearest solar panel installation experts.
The program is currently only available in Boston, San Francisco Bay, and Fresno. There is currently no public information regarding when the program will expand.
Thanks
Also, did you know that OUC does not offer time-of-day pricing for it’s residential customers? That means we cannot take advantage cost saving aspect of the new modular Tesla Smart batteries called Powerwall that would store cheap electricity from night time, and use it during peak times where electricity should cost more. Maybe if we all said something to them about it, they would change their policy and offer it to residential in addition to their commercial customers?http://www.teslamotors.com/powerwall
We agree Scott! Thanks for reading!
There is a solar cooperative forming now in Orlando and Winter Park. To find out if you can join, email [email protected].
OUC has an interesting project called a community solar farm. But, all the panels have been subscribed to so there is no more availability. However they are taking names and putting it on a waiting list. I was just thinking though, do we really need OUC for this? Couldn’t we do this for our own communities? I am a renter, so I am not able install solar panels on the roof of the house I live in and a Communtity Solar Farm would perfect. http://www.ouc.com/environment-community/solar/community-solar
Its not offensive, just odd. The other side of Orlando is nowhere in particular. I read bungalower for what it is, news of Orlando’s bungalow neighborhoods. If you start publishing too many stories like this, you’ll turn into just another news site. The hyper local nature is the entire appeal.
Sorry to offend Scott Chastain. Solar energy and tech are two hot topics with our readers and we’re hoping that if we write about stories like this they will put Orlando on their list of places to expand to. Where exactly is “the other side of Orlando” ? Help us help you!
Haseeb Qadri
So you guys don’t cover news on the other side of Orlando, but you have a story about a service that’s not available within a 1000 miles and has no plan to expand?
It’s pretty cool, but it didn’t really show me how many solar panels I could fit on my house. I don’t really think this translates into an actual estimate, just more of a basic idea of the amount of sunlight my roof gets.
I found another free service that actually shows you how many panels you can put on your roof. Pretty neat: quicksolar.com/newjersey (I’m pretty sure if you just fill out the form for any state, they’ll do it for you).