Mapping the planet’s solar potential, one rooftop at a time Turning its attention away from search engines and self-driving cars, Google is looking to map the solar potential of planet Earth, one rooftop at a time with its latest project: Project Sunroof. Using information from Google Maps, Project Sunroof takes into account everything from the angle of the roof and the weather to obstructions like trees and chimneys to tell users how many solar panels they would need for their structure and how much money one could save on their electric bill by way of solar power. Users can then see exactly how buying or leasing solar panels affects savings and then send an estimate to local installers, instantly. Visit google.com/sunrooffor more and enter your address to figure out how much solar energy could save you. The project is currently limited to the San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno and Boston, but anyone can sign up via the website to be notified when Sunroof expands to their local neighborhood. Author: T.S. Fox