Solar Potential
Solar energy is harnessed radiant sunlight and heat from a range of ever-evolving technologies. These include solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, and artificial photosynthesis. Solar photovoltaic panels (PV panels) are what most people think of when they hear the term solar power. PV panels are usually installed on the roof of a structure in order to capture as much solar energy as possible. Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on earth – 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strike the Earth continuously. That’s more than 10,000 times the world’s current total energy use. (Wikipedia.com)
As prices continue to fall, solar energy is becoming an increasingly economical energy choice for American homeowners and businesses. The U.S. Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative works to drive down costs – making it faster and more affordable for families and businesses to go solar.
To help homeowners in the metro area determine if solar would be feasible for their homes, OKI launched an online interactive Solar Map recently. This project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. The Solar Map provides information about the solar potential of buildings in the Greater Cincinnati region. The term ‘solar potential’ includes usable roof space, kWh of electricity generated, and annual cost savings.
This NKYmapLAB project explores the solar potential in Kenton County. It identifies the total solar potential of Kenton County as a whole, the solar potential of individual cities, and the solar potential of city- and county-owned buildings. Finally, this project identifies the five areas of the county that have the most solar potential, and what the key assumptions are in determining solar potential.
Solar energy is harnessed radiant sunlight and heat from a range of ever-evolving technologies. These include solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, and artificial photosynthesis. Solar photovoltaic panels (PV panels) are what most people think of when they hear the term solar power. PV panels are usually installed on the roof of a structure in order to capture as much solar energy as possible. Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on earth – 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strike the Earth continuously. That’s more than 10,000 times the world’s current total energy use. (Wikipedia.com)
The image below represents the poster sized map of this project. There is also a companion Story Map, complete with interactive maps, narrative text, images and multimedia content.
As prices continue to fall, solar energy is becoming an increasingly economical energy choice for American homeowners and businesses. The U.S. Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative works to drive down costs – making it faster and more affordable for families and businesses to go solar.
To help homeowners in the metro area determine if solar would be feasible for their homes, OKI launched an online interactive Solar Map recently. This project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. The Solar Map provides information about the solar potential of buildings in the Greater Cincinnati region. The term ‘solar potential’ includes usable roof space, kWh of electricity generated, and annual cost savings.
This NKYmapLAB project explores the solar potential in Kenton County. It identifies the total solar potential of Kenton County as a whole, the solar potential of individual cities, and the solar potential of city- and county-owned buildings. Finally, this project identifies the five areas of the county that have the most solar potential, and what the key assumptions are in determining solar potential.
POSTSCRIPT: The Story Map of which this map illustration is a part may be found here. By the end of this Story Map experience, viewers will have a better understanding of the solar potential throughout Kenton County.
Solar Potential in Kenton County
Click on the image above to view the Solar Potential Story Map.
Click the logo for more information about the implementation of Direction 2030.
