The US Department of Energy recently released a guide outlining the potential for rooftop solar.
Recently the US Department of Energy recently released a guide outlining the national potential for rooftop solar. This guide defines certain specifics around solar, offers direction on tools to help decide if solar is right for your building, and lists resources available to those who may wish to install solar. Its release comes at a critical time, as solar proved to be a resilient form of energy generation in the aftermath of a disaster. According to Politico’s report on Hurricane Ian that recently struck Puerto Rico and Florida,
Rooftop panels, coupled with batteries, let people keep their lights and appliances humming during and after the storms, without having to worry about downed power lines or finding fuel for generators.
What is Solar Rooftop Potential?
Solar rooftop potential for the entire country is the number of rooftops that would be suitable for solar power, depending on size, shading, direction, and location. Rooftop potential is not equivalent to the economic or market potential for rooftop solar—it doesn’t consider availability or cost. Rather, it is the upper limit of solar deployment on rooftops across the country.
Solar rooftop potential for an individual rooftop is the amount of solar that could be installed on that rooftop, based on its size, shading, tilt, location, and construction. Satellite maps, irradiance data, equipment specifications, and other factors inform the bids that installers present to customers to assist them in understanding the potential costs and benefits of solar panels on their roof.