The APVI Solar Potential Tool (SunSPoT) is an online tool for estimating the potential for electricity generation from PV on building roofs in Australian cities. The tool accounts for solar radiation and weather at the site; PV system area, tilt, orientation; and shading from nearby buildings and vegetation.
More information about the data and methodology used can be found here.
SunSPoT has been developed by the Australian PV Institute (APVI) as part of the APVI’s Solar Mapping research project, and funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
More information on this and other APVI research projects can be found here.
APVI’s Solar Map has been developed as a preliminary information tool and is no substitute to an on-site assessment performed by a certified professional. The results from the tool are only an estimate and may be inaccurate due to incomplete or out of date building models and GIS data.
Shadow layers displaying shadows at solar noon for the Equinox, Winter Solstice or Summer Solstice. These layers can be used to determine which surfaces will be impacted by shading at different times of the year.
An insolation heat map displaying the average level of solar radiation (insolation) in kWh/m2/day. This layer can be used to quickly visualise the solar potential of different building surfaces. Surfaces highlighted in red provide the best options for solar. A key to the insolation heat map is shown beside the insolation slider.
SunSPoT uses 3D building and vegetation models from AAM and Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather data from the US Department of Energy Simulation Software Weather Data webpage to calculate average annual and monthly incident solar radiation on a building surface and the expected performance of a typical PV system of the size specified by the user, with PV panel orientation and tilt defaulting to that of the roof surface, or defined by the user.
The tool accounts for solar radiation and other weather variables at the site, and shading impacts of surrounding buildings and vegetation. Detailed information about the data and methodology used in SunSPoT can be found here.
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