CH2M HILL Enterprise Management Solutions (EMS), together with the City and County of San Francisco's Department of the Environment, today launched the first solar mapping Web portal of its kind. Officially introduced today during a press conference at San Francisco City Hall, the portal estimates the solar energy potential for commercial and residential structures in San Francisco.
Present at today's press conference included San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, CH2M HILL EMS Senior Vice President Mike Underwood and San Francisco Department of the Environment Director Jared Blumenfeld.
The portal allows building owners to visualize the potential environmental benefits and monetary savings that would result from installing solar energy panels on their property.
Leveraging Google Maps as a visualization platform, users enter an address to see a map view of that location. With a simple click, users are then provided with:
+ The estimated amount of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy that could be installed on the roof;
+ The estimated amount of solar PV energy that could be generated at that site;
+ Potential electricity cost reduction resulting from the solar PV installation;
+ Potential carbon dioxide/greenhouse gas (CO2) reduction as a result of installing a solar PV system;
+ Case studies of other San Francisco businesses and homeowners who have already installed solar PV systems and their stories; and
+ Information on installing a solar PV system, including contact information for local solar installers.
The portal is publicly accessible, and is replicable for use in other cities and counties throughout the world.
"CH2M HILL's commitment to environmental sustainability continues to be a primary objective of our company," said Mike Underwood, CH2M HILL EMS senior vice president.
"We constantly explore ways to use our spatial technology capabilities to build environmental sustainability solutions. We are delighted to be working with the City and County of San Francisco and Google to develop a solution that enables people to quickly make informed decisions about investing in solar technology.
This Web-based solution can be replicated in every city in the world, and through the use of solar technology, could result in widespread environmental benefits."
"San Francisco is committed to clean energy, and to making sure resources are available to make it easier for San Franciscans to go solar," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
"By using our solar mapping program, residents and businesses can quickly determine whether specific photovoltaic projects will pencil out, which is the first step to getting more renewable energy in the city."
