Google expands AI-driven solar analysis into the UK
Project Sunroof was launched in the US in 2015 and in Germany last year. Instead of home owners having to enter details ot their properties to see how effective solar power would be, the tool uses Google Earth, MAP, 3D models and machine learning to determine the potential power output.
The partnership between Project Sunroof, E.ON and software producer Tetraeder in Germany was the first time Project Sunroof data will be made available outside of the US and has now been extended to the UK.
Around 7 million German buildings are currently covered by Project Sunroof, including urban areas such as Munich, Berlin, Rhine-Main and the Ruhr area. It estimates how much sunlight falls on the roof, accounting for historical weather patterns, the location of the sun throughout the year, the geometry of the roof, and shading from nearby objects such as trees and buildings. The tool then combine all of these factors to estimate solar energy generation potential for a particular address.
On the site, people can investigate their home’s solar potential, as well as purchase a suitable system consisting of photovoltaic modules, energy storage and system management software provided by E.ON. As of this month, the online tool covers about 40 percent of German homes.