14 DAY TRIAL // University of Gothenburg worked in parnership with WSP Analys & Strategi to develop a pilot program that will allow their clients to be able to tell how efficient their solar panels really are.
The fact that traditional energy is expensive and damaging for the environment led, in time, to the growth of the market of alternative sources of power.
Commercial buildings as well as private consumers thought that installing solar panels will allow them to adopt a green attitude while saving a great deal of money.
What clients didn't have in mind at first was the fact that not all roofs have the same particularities. Solar power can't be used if sunlight doesn't reach the panels.
Therefore, it is very important for every consumer to be aware of the shadow effect.
In order for the solar panels to reach their maximum efficiency, their influence mustn't be disturbed by the presence of overhanging trees or the shadows created by surrounding buildings.
This is where the innovative program proves its utility. The entire strategy depends on the computer-based geographical information system (GSI).
In theory, this technology can establish, collect and keep track of the geographical data relevant for a certain facility.
The system has the capacity to recreate the surroundings, being able to calculate the shadow effect for the entire roof or just for a particular surface, each month, or every year.
All in all, the device is able to tell you whether your solar panels are efficient or not. In fact, it can tell you exactly how much solar radiation your panels are capable to attract.
"We have used Gothenburg as pilot town in the project, but the method can be used in all municipalities where the necessary data is made available. The users can judge the suitability of a roof for solar voltaic panels or solar thermal panels across a wide range, based on this," stated Fredrik Lindberg, from the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Gothenburg.