AI-generated Key Takeaways

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• The Solar API provides tools and data for solar potential assessment, including financial analysis and shade visualization.

• Users can access support resources and migration guides for transitioning from previous API versions.

• Google Maps data is used for building identification and solar panel placement, with limitations for newer buildings and interior assessments.

• The API offers data layers like flux and DSM for visualizing shade and performing custom calculations, accessed via short-lived URLs.

• Cost management strategies are available through Google Cloud's budgeting documentation.

Help

How do I migrate to the new Solar API from the previous version?

• Review ourmigration guide.

Where can I get help?

• Check outSupport Options for Solar API.

What do these error codes mean?

• Read more aboutHTTP status codes.

Project configuration

What permissions do I need on my Cloud project?

• Seethe documentation.

Can I use my API key with more than one Cloud project?

• No, only use your API key for one Cloud project. If you have more Cloudprojects, each should have their own API key. Note that, within a singleproject, it's normal to have several API keys.

Cost

How do I limit costs?

• See theBudgetingdocumentation forstrategies and tips.

Solar model

How often are data refreshed?

• New data are added all the time, but we don't have a specific refresh ratefor specific regions. Some regions use imagery that is several years old.Please check the dates of the relevant imagery, and feel free tofilefeedback.

Where can I learn more about the assumptions for the solar financial analysis?

• Google uses information about government solar incentives, alongwith other financial data and models, fromClean PowerResearch.

Are chimneys and skylights taken into consideration by the API when making an assessment of solar panel placement?

• Yes, with height maps chimneys and skylights are identified as smallrectangles, and solar panels are excluded by the model.

Can the API see inside of buildings?

• No, just the roofs.

Can the API make assessments for a specific apartment within a building complex?

• Depends. The model uses Google Maps data, and so if the apartment isclassified as a whole building in Google Maps, then the roof of a specificapartment of that building are displayed as separate.

Why does the API sometimes not return any data for a building which I know exists?

• This can happen when there are newer buildings that did not exist whenmapping was realized at the time.

How can I use the flux solar data layer for visualizing shade?

• North-facing roofs get less flux (solarirradiance), which meansthey will have higher shade. You can leverage this information whenperforming solar assessments. The flux data layer lets you visualizeflux in colors.
• You can alternatively make your own flux tiles and customize their colors,especially if you wish to locate specific numerical values of shade on aroof.

How can I usehourlyShadeUrls from thedataLayers service?

• You can get back a daily snapshot of shade throughout the year, and producean animated GIF or video of shade changing during a year.

Can I perform my own custom calculations?

• Yes, can use the flux and DSM (height map at each point) solar data layersfor greater customization.

Why does the API return a URL, and what can I do with them?

• The URLs are short-lived pointers to enable you to download thecorresponding data layers.