Google's "Project Sunroof" has just extended its service to 15 more metropolitan areas, which means that more homeowners will be able to take advantage of the company's online service to help them determine whether it is advisable to transform their home into a solar-powered one and where to install solar panels best.
The project's launch in August 2015 limited the service to a few areas in Boston, Fresno and San Francisco Bay Area but Google announced that the project has now been expanded to a few more metro areas in Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, North Carolina, Connecticut, Nevada, New York as well.
Project Sunroof was developed by Google Senior Software Engineer Carl Elkin as his 20 percent project and it aims to help out homeowners whether going solar is worth the effort. Users of the online tool will be shown an aerial map of their house - specifically, the rooftop's solar energy potential taking into consideration the height of nearby trees and buildings, as well as local weather patterns - how much energy can actually be saved and a list of local solar panel providers and installers they can contact.
"Google has always been a big believer in zero-carbon energy, and solar power has been a central part of that vision," Elkin wrote.
To put it simply, Google wants to save the Earth with you and Project Sunroof was conceptualized to give you the extra push into taking the initiative by showing you just how much money you can save and carbon emissions you can eliminate in the long run, which may just help you make that crucial decision.
Solar Panels Are Pricey But Google Has Your Back
We can't deny that there's still that belief that installing solar panels can mean a huge withdrawal from your bank account. Even if solar panel installation prices have considerably dropped in recent years, there's still that notion that even having someone come into your home for an estimate can break all the piggy banks you ever owned. Project Sunroof helps to eliminate some of those worries.
Project Sunroof allows you to have an idea of just how much you can actually save should you decide to have photovoltaic panels installed in your home. This also eliminates the possibility of installing the panels only to find out you're not really saving much money because you don't get much sunlight anyway.
Google Is Still A Money-Making Company
If having the convenience of simply typing in your location into a program to know your roof's solar power potential and possibly lessening your carbon footprint isn't a 'pro' enough for you, well there are some things that may make you take a tiny little step back before going full throttle on the program.
Google is, of course a business establishment, which means that there may be some sort of profit to be made from this project, especially from indirect advertising and referral. There's nothing wrong with that, really, but should you decide to push through with installing solar panels, it would be best to research on other companies and not just rely on Google's referrals.
What This Could Mean For The Planet
The human race is actually starting to take responsibility and clean up in an attempt move to save the Earth. Google's "Project Sunroof" could be a game changer in the way we use and produce energy.
Sure it's just a few solar panels here and there and the service is currently offered in a few states, but that doesn't mean the project can't and won't go global. In fact, other equally gigantic companies might even take this as a cue that even business giants can and should take part in saving the planet.
For now it seems that Google hasn't quite worked out the kinks on taking Project Sunroof worldwide, but it's energizing to see that their colorful logo is so much more than cute and interactive Google Doodles.
