June 12, 2024, 3:58 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Is solar energy from my roof worth it? And if so, what annual yield can I expect? A new map with current data provides insight.
How much solar power can I generate on my roof? This question is not only asked by businesses and decision-makers but also by numerous homeowners and apartment owners. A new map from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) offers good assistance in this regard. Its name: Solaratlas.
Solaratlas Shows Potential Yield of a PV System
The Solaratlas shows the calculated yield that a roof area with an installed photovoltaic system can deliver. The result can be displayed in various views—from federal state to district and municipality, down to individual buildings. You have to find your own building from the municipal map due to data protection.
The potential yield of a solar system is color-coded—from violet (low yield) to light orange (high yield). The potential is indicated in megawatt-hours per year. The Solaratlas is available for free at this link.
According to DLR, More Accurate Than Existing Maps
The data basis for the forecasts for around 20 million buildings nationwide consists of current aerial images and geobase data, compiled using machine learning. Factors such as hours of sunshine, radiation intensity, orientation of roof surfaces, and shading from other buildings or trees are evaluated.
According to the creators, the DLR Solaratlas depicts the situation across the entire country. It is also supposed to provide more and more accurate information than the existing solar cadastres of the federal states, districts, or municipalities. Incidentally, the German Weather Service also provides extensive map material on the so-called “global radiation.”
With material from dpa