I receive many queries from readers who are confused if they should install solar. Though solar energy has proved its mettle and is beneficial to be installed owing to its improved performance and reducing prices, people still want to know if installing solar will be beneficial for them and how much their annual savings will be. We at Greenworldinvestor, provide them with a general idea based on their location and energy requirement.
However, this may not be the case in the future and people can themselves calculate the potential of the solar installation at their place through the help of an app. It is very similar to Google’s Project Sunroofwhich makes it easier for homeowners to quickly decide whether putting a solar rooftop system is economical for them or not. The Indian Space Research Organization, or ISRO has recently launched an Android app that makes the necessary calculations in a jiffy! You only need to input your location and it calculates the benefit of installing solar panels at any location in the country.
The Solar Calculator app has been developed by the Space Application Center facility of Isro, in Ahmedabad, at the request of the MNRE.
Its drop down menu lists a number of locations in India, which a user can directly click or he can also navigate using the location coordinates or use the GPS.
ISRO has employed its existing technologies to calculate the solar potential using Indian satellites. The app also lets one know the duration of the days over the course of a year, taking into account any hindrances that obstruct the sunlight. The app also suggests the optimum angle set up for the solar panels and other useful information for the setup.
The app is considered to be a “very useful” tool for installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that is used for tapping solar energy, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said. Source: Indiatimes
You can also share the report, which is available as a table, graph, and a map. Currently, the app is developed for Android users, but users will have to wait a while for it to be available on the Play Store. I think this another welcome step towards boosting solar energy in India! Users will have more clarity once they get to see the potential of a solar installation in their particular area/ location.
