Early access: Unlock expanded coverage and greater insights in the Solar API

As global energy demand rises, residential solar power emerges as a key player in a sustainable future. To unlock solar's full potential, accessible and scalable solutions are critical.

The Google Maps Platform Solar API is helping to address this challenge by expanding the product’s reach and capabilities using new machine learning models.

We're excited to announce two significant expansions and are looking for trusted testers:

1. Improved and expanded buildings coverage

• Enhanced coverage and data freshness
  The heart of this expansion lies in new machine learning models that generate on-nadir RGB imagery, digital surface models (DSMs), and planar roof segments from satellite imagery. This approach overcomes limitations of traditional mapping techniques and allows for more frequent data updates, even in existing coverage areas. Learn more about our satellite powered estimation of global solar potential.

• Providing data in underserved and emerging markets
  To address the lack of reliable data in underserved and emerging markets, particularly in the Global South, using ML-enhanced satellite imagery can unlock precise solar assessments in regions where detailed mapping data was previously limited or outdated. The Solar API Expanded Coverage Testing Program currently offers data for 150 million buildings across 23 countries, significantly expanding access to solar potential analysis in these new areas.

• Scaling solar globally
  The total potential coverage this project unlocks is 1.9 billion additional buildings around the world, based on currently available satellite imagery. More buildings will become available as satellites continue to capture new areas.

• Open to trusted testers
  New data from the expanded Solar API coverage areas is available now for interested solar businesses. Join us now to help influence the early development of solar solutions in your area. Sign-up today.

2. Greater insights for existing solar installations with Detected Arrays 

• See Existing Solar Installations The Solar API now includes a new experimental endpoint with data on installed residential rooftop solar panels, called Detected Arrays. This feature is currently available in areas with high-resolution aerial imagery (mainly US, EU, Japan).

• Unlock New Opportunities
  Detected Arrays endpoint provides valuable insights for buildings that already have solar panels, enabling installers to create more informed solar proposals, identify high-potential customers for battery storage and other clean energy upgrades, and better target marketing and outreach efforts.

• Open to trusted testers
  We are looking for solar and energy businesses interested in gaining greater insights for where solar installations already exist. Sign-up today.

The Solar API is already helping businesses, organizations, and governments utilize solar data and insights to make data-driven decisions with reliable solar potential assessments, streamlined designs, remote proposal capabilities, and insights for incentive programs. With these two improvements, we aim to continue supporting the adoption of clean, solar-powered, energy across the planet.