Research status
Overview
Development of a freely available online tool to help households and businesses make informed decisions about installing rooftop solar and batteries. SunSPOT enables users to estimate the solar potential of their roof and calculates typical PV generation profiles derived from typical year weather data and the slope, orientation and shading of the roof planes (calculated using 3-dimensional models derived from LiDAR data, where available, or user estimates otherwise). It also provides analysis of the costs and benefits of PV and batteries based on the user's interval meter data, if available, or a synthetic load profile generated using a machine-learning model.
Partners
SunSPOT is a partnership with the Australian PV Institute (APVI).
Development of the user interface and nationwide roll-out of SunSPOT have been supported by the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. SunSPOT is featured on the government's Solar Consumer Guide.
Provision of the 'premium' version of SunSPOT which uses analysis of point cloud LiDAR data to assess rooftop slope, orientation and shading, is supported through the APVI by Council subscriptions.
Previous development has been supported by the Australian Government through ARENA, the NSW and ACT Governments, the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), UNSW's Digital Grid Futures Institute and the ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Systems.