The City of Victoria and the University of Victoria are teaming up to develop a solar energy map to help show residents how much solar energy could be captured from their rooftops.
As part of the project, the city installed a pyranometer, an instrument that measures solar energy, on the roof at City Hall.
The information collected from the device, along with data from the University of Victoria’s School Based Weather Network, will help property owners better assess the solar potential of their properties.
After a year of data collection, the information will be integrated into VicMap, the City of Victoria’s online map. Residents will then be able to use the solar map to zoom in to a rooftop, view the solar energy potential and identify the specific area of the roof that might be best suited for solar equipment.
Greenhouse gases from buildings account for 50 per cent of the total emissions generated in Victoria, according to city estimates. Victoria is aiming for a greenhouse gas reduction target of 33 per cent from 2007 levels by 2020.