Spiralling energy costs, depleting fuel reserves and ever increasing carbon emissions from buildings prompted the launch of Google’s Project Sunroof, an online tool that uses aerial mapping to determine the solar energy potential of the roof of a building.
Currently in the pilot stage, Project Sunroof is available in the San Francisco Bay Area at this point, but is expected to go global shortly. Once you log on to its website (www.projectsunroof.com), you will be asked to type in your location or activate your smart device’s GPS tracker. A 3D image of building you are in will appear on your screen, its current energy consumption will be determined as well as the available roof area for installation of solar panels.
Other data that can be calculated includes the total net savings you will be able to derive after installing solar panels answer how much time it will take to recover your investment costs.
However, no matter substantial the savings suggested by this tool are, factor in the following prior to installing solar panels:
* Solar panels are expensive to buy and install; a 300-watt solar energy system costs approximately Rs 100,000, while the approximate cost of a 1,000-watt solar energy system is Rs 350,000. The time it takes to recover the cost of a solar energy system ranges between 10 and 15 years; therefore, install only if you own the property in question.
* Ensure that any structural damage to the roof, including cracks and seepage , is repaired prior to the installation. Solar panels mounted on deteriorating roofs requires frequent maintenance and have a shorter life span (an average solar panel system remains functional for nearly 30 years).
* Trees on the northern side of your property should be trimmed to ensure that there is an unrestricted pathway for the sunlight to reach the panels.
* The presence of solar power systems boosts property value by 10 to 15%.
By Ayesha Shaikh