Article: MIT maps solar potential of Cambridge, Massachusetts with record accuracy

[cfg83]

Hello -

I thought that this was neat :

MIT maps solar potential of Cambridge, Massachusetts with record accuracy

MIT researchers have developed a new technique that can be used to accurately predict the annual yield of a photovoltaic solar array located anywhere on the planet, taking into account local climate, panel orientation, and obstructions from nearby buildings. As a proof of concept, the scientists have mapped out the 17,000 rooftops of Cambridge, Massachusetts and created a user-friendly web interface that residents can use to look up their homes and get an accurate projection of the cost and return on investment of placing a PV panel over their heads.
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Even with its slightly pessimistic estimate, the tool shows that if photovoltaic panels were installed on all of the locations classified as either "good" or "excellent" on the map, the city of Cambridge could generate about one third of its energy needs by means of solar panels, for an investment of US$2.8 billion that would certainly pay off in the years to come.
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What I like is that for the context of Cambridge the question of how much solar energy can be harvested in relation to the *need* is answered, aka 33%.

CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

I'm assuming they included flat roofs with the panels on frames to angle them correctly? Edit: it appears that they do.

There are not too many large parking lots in Cambridge, but any of theses could also have solar PV canopies. I'll bet they could get more than half of their energy!

[Frank Lee]

Not to mention how nice it would be to park under a canopy.