Google’s Project Sunroof found 80% of rooftops in U.S. viable for solar installations, with Houston having most solar potential among U.S. cities

Briefing

Google’s Project Sunroof found 80% of rooftops in U.S. viable for solar installations, with Houston having most solar potential among U.S. cities

March 31, 2017

Briefing

  • 80% U.S. Solar Home Viability – Google’s Project Sunroof analyzed solar potential of U.S. rooftops, finding 80% viable for solar installations
  • Project Sunroof – Lets users study their buildings, calculating how much potential electricity placing solar panels on rooftop can generate, plus cost to lease or buy panels
  • High Potential Cities – Houston has most solar potential of any city in U.S., with 18,940 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of potential capacity annually, followed by Los Angeles (14,905 GWh), Phoenix (11,686 GWh), San Antonio (10,648 GWh), and New York (9,125 GWh)
  • Significant Solar Potential – Top 10 cities reaching full solar potential can generate electricity, enough to power 8 million U.S. homes
  • Solar Installations Rise – Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) February 2017 report stated new solar installations in U.S. almost doubled in 2016, with 14.63 GW new installed capacity from 7.49 GW installed in 2015
  • Slowdown in Residential Installations – U.S. household installations increased 19% in 2016, down from 63% year-over-year growth between 2012 and 2015, as California experienced slowdown in demand growth

Accelerator

Sector

Energy, Information Technology

Organization

Google Inc., Solar Energy Industries Association

Source

Original Publication Date

March 14, 2017

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