Google could tell you how much solar power your roof can generate

The firms new Project Sunroof tool considers factors like roof orientation, shade from trees and nearby buildings and local weather patterns to work out how much sun will hit your roof.

Users then input their typical electricity bill to find out how much money they could save.

The online tool is currently only available for people living in San Francisco, Boston and Fresno, but Google said they will be looking to improve the tool and expand its coverage in the coming months.

Google’s Carl Elkin, the engineering lead for the project, said the tool should help more homeowners take advantage of the record-low prices of solar energy.

He said: “A typical solar home can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year on their electricity bill.”

“But, as a volunteer with the Boston-based solar program Solarize Massachusetts and a solar homeowner myself, I’ve always been surprised at how many people I encounter who think that ‘my roof isn’t sunny enough for solar,’ or ‘solar is just too expensive.’ Certainly many of them are missing out on a chance to save money and be green.

Elkin added: “Google has always been a big believer in zero-carbon energy, and solar power has been a central part of that vision — from accelerating the growth of rooftop solar, to helping finance the largest solar farm in Africa, to building one of America’s biggest campus solar arrays here in Mountain View.”

edie recently chronicled five ways in which the company has become a green giant, including its super-efficient data centres, trailblazing driverless cars and groundbreaking new headquarters.

Google is also utilising its Street View system to map air pollution, with the successful pilot project in Denver set to be expanded.

Brad Allen