Eco Maps and Architecture

How closely related can these two be? Well, closely enough, according to the latest Trendwatching Report.

Geography is a universally familiar method of organizing, finding and tracking relevant information on objects, events and people, that is till yesterday….

Because today people are using eco maps to help them make decisions on where is the most suitable place, for them, to buy their property.

Is it an eco friendly neighborhood? What is the solar potential of the house? How much will my daily ride to work effect the environment?

These are our favorite Eco Mapmania cases:

Roofray, a Californian startup that aims to give consumers the information they need to install solar panels. The site eventually aims to provide a ‘RoofRaytings’ system that would be available to homebuyers as an indication of solar potential.
Google Maps Transit Layer, which is available for over 50 cities worldwide, overlays public transport lines onto the main map view, allowing the user to easily plan a green(er) journey to their destination.
For more on Eco Mapmania, you can visit www.trendwatching.com

Calculating Solar Potential

Calculate the solar potential of your home or potential residence, through the use of this inovative tool.

Recently featured in Springwise, RoofRay, is brand-new California startup that aims to give consumers better information so they can make more informed solar decisions.

Currently in beta, RoofRay is a solar array modelling service and community designed to help consumers evaluate solar for their homes or businesses.

Using the site's modelling tools, consumers can estimate how much solar energy a home could capture and how that would affect their monthly bills based on past weather conditions, current power bills, the slope of their house, and how much panelling their roof can hold.

One tool uses Google Maps to let users calculate the square footage of their roof and build virtual panels; RoofRay then estimates the output potential of the roof as well as financial considerations like costs of installation and upkeep and ROI.

Another section shows existing installations that have already been completed by other people, including specifics of the roof used and total peak power. Ultimately, RoofRay hopes to create "RoofRaytings" for buildings and provide them to real-estate search engines as an indicator of the solar potential of homes or businesses for sale. It also plans to create an online marketplace where solar installers and integrators can bid for consumers' business.

As RoofRay points out, homes' solar potential could become increasingly important as a factor in real-estate buying decisions. Making it easier for consumers to access that and other solar information will surely be a key step on the way to more widespread adoption of the technology and—the ultimate goal—less reliance on fossil fuels.

website: http://www.roofray.com/

source: http://www.springwise.com/