Minneapolis Solar Suitability

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Why we love it

Immediately this map appeals to us because it’s accessible and simple. Any resident or business in Minneapolis can use it. Viewed locally, the map conveys personal geography. We love how the way this map answers important questions: How much solar potential is there at my house? My garage? My workplace? My school? The map conveys the abundance of solar potential even in a relatively northern city like Minneapolis.

Why it works

This map uses a familiar spectral colour scheme instead of a legend. Colours intuitively indicate insolation levels. Well-formatted pop-ups provide solar suitability information for each building. The map does more than simply report raw data. It states if a property has solar suitability and includes estimates of how many solar panels will fit. It also gives an estimate of kilowatt hours produced and dollars saved. Finally, it links to professional solar installers.

Important steps

  • Use Area Solar Radiation geoprocessing tool

    Using this elevation model as an input, use the Area Solar Radiation geoprocessing tool to calculate the total incoming solar radiation (insolation) for each square meter accounting for variations in elevation, slope, orientation, and shading from surrounding features.
    An overview of Solar Radiation tools

  • Use LiDAR data to identify the slope

    Flat rooftops and rooftop areas with southeast- to southwest-facing slopes should be considered appropriate for solar energy systems.
    Understanding LiDAR data

  • Filter data by determining qualifications

    To help filter the data, only shows portions of rooftops that receive a minimum amount of insolation year-round and are large enough to accommodate at least 1,000 watts of solar panels.
    Locate sites for photovoltaic solar

  • Use building footprint data

    Solar insolation and slope data was clipped using local building footprint data from the city of Minneapolis.
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Requirements

  • Data and software

    LiDAR elevation data from the Minnesota GeoSpatial Information Office and Minneapolis building footprint data were used in the analysis to create the spreadsheet of attributed buildings that underlies the application. Software used: ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Online.
    LiDAR elevation data for Minnesota

  • Analysis

    Use LiDAR elevation model and Area Solar Radiation geoprocessing tools to calculate insolation for each square rooftop meter. Account for variations in elevation, slope, orientation, and shade from nearby features. Use Slope tool to identify flat or southerly-facing roofs.
    Slope tool

  • Time

    Approximately 40 hours.
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Tips and tricks

  • Use neutral backgrounds

    Use a neutral basemap to ensure the bright colours in the insolation analysis will stand out. Although dark grey is a typical choice, a lighter background gives a sense of a sunny day, reinforcing the map’s insolation theme.

  • Show data only at the relevant scale

    Limit the visible scale range so that data is only shown at the scales where it is useful and relevant.

  • Make content clear and navigable

    Make pop-ups well formatted with relevant information in bold and explained in full sentences.
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Resources

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City of Minneapolis Sustainability logo

Map Author

City of Minneapolis Sustainability

The City of Minneapolis is committed to citywide economic opportunity, social equality, and environmental health. Sustainability means balancing those concerns without sacrificing the ability for future generations to meet their own needs.

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