NYC Solar Map: Visualize Your Solar Power Potential
Sustainable CUNY, a program of the City University of New York (CUNY) and leader of the New York City Solar America City Partnership which is comprised of CUNY, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the City’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability (OLTPS) has developed an online interactive solar map of New York to help NY residents understand the solar potential of their homes and businesses.
Users can enter an address and retrieve information regarding the solar-power generating potential of any given building in the five boroughs, as well as the costs of conversion. The map employs lidar technology, which uses laser-pulsed light to detect distances and other characteristics. Also of note, The NYC Solar Map uses orthophotographs versus aerial photographs for its satellite images, which provide a much more accurate estimate of solar potential than other publicly available basemaps. Even though they can be grainy at close-up zoom levels, they provide better information to users.
The website also directs users to various public incentives (e.g., tax credits and rebates), and estimates the time it might take for a system to pay for itself. Users may also learn the potential reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that may result from a building’s conversion to solar power.
Other municipalities are offering similar maps in an effort to expand the use of solar power. Click on the following links for examples:
