Google is getting ready to grant licences to a wide variety of businesses for access to a new series of mapping datasets, which will kick off a period of rapid innovation in the field of renewable energy.
This programme, which represents Google’s commitment to transforming the landscape of renewable energy goods, has goals of generating up to one hundred million dollars in its first year of operation alone. The unique perspectives that are exclusive to CNBC offer a sneak view into Google’s ambitious objectives and the potentially game-changing influence that they could have.
The desire of Google to provide access to new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that supply vital information relating to solar energy, as well as statistics on air quality, is the impetus behind this endeavour. These application programming interfaces (APIs) have the potential to catalyse growth in a variety of industries, including solar installation, real estate, hotels, and others.
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The Solar API is a noteworthy API that is positioned to create ripples in the industry. It is primed for adoption by industry giants such as SunRun and Tesla Energy, in addition to cutting-edge solar design businesses such as Aurora Solar.
However, Google’s goal extends beyond these boundaries, as it envisions collaborating with real estate giants such as Zillow and Redfin, as well as the well-known hospitality brand Marriott Bonvoy and utility companies such as PG&E.
Data obtained by Project Sunroof, a consumer-oriented pilot project that released a solar savings calculator in 2015, is at the core of the products made available by the Solar API. This innovative programme gives customers the ability to input their address and receive informed estimations, such as the possible savings on their electric bill and the size of a solar system that is appropriate for their home. In addition to this, it uses 3D modelling that is based on data from Google Maps, which makes it easier to gain a comprehensive grasp of building rooftops and the tree coverage in the surrounding area.
The approach that Google has in place involves offering API access not only to the data of individual buildings but also to insights that are aggregated for entire cities or counties. Google’s reach is expected to be significant because there is data accessible for 350 million buildings. This is a significant increase over the 60 million structures that were mentioned when Project Sunroof was first introduced.
An internal paper has made projections that the Solar API’s first year may bring in potential revenues of between $90 and $100 million, which has created a great deal of anticipation. In addition, there is the intriguing possibility that connection with Google Cloud goods will be possible in the not too distant future.
However, Google’s innovative spirit is not limited to the field of renewable energy. The imminent rollout will also contain an application programming interface (API) for air quality, which will enable users to make requests for extensive data regarding air quality, including information regarding specific pollutants as well as health advice based on the user’s location. This offering will provide essential insights into the workings of the environment through the utilisation of digital heat maps, hourly updates on air quality, and a history of air quality spanning thirty days.
Google’s recent venture into the realm of renewable energy mapping data ushers in an exciting new era of opportunity at a time when the energy business is poised on the brink of radical change. The potential for change is evident, and the industry waits with bated breath to observe the unfolding of this colossal endeavour. Although Google has not yet commented on these developments, the potential for change is palpable.
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About Solar API
The Solar Application Programming Interface (API) enables businesses to design solutions that make it simple to educate and engage prospective customers by providing them with high-quality, visual information about the solar potential of their rooftops for a given location. These solutions may be developed with the help of the Solar Application Programming Interface. Because of this, it only takes a few seconds to bring customers information that is tailored specifically for them as well as relevant to the situation in which they find themselves.
