Release Notes

We are pleased to announce geographical extension of data available via Solargis prospecting tools - iMaps and pvPlanner. The data coverage has been extended to include Hawaii and part of Alaska. We also improved the accuracy of data in North-West of Canada. Data are calculated from atmosperic data and GOES-WEST satellite data from 1999 up to present in 30-minute time-step.

Population displacement is one of the key factors for planning the position of power plants. Typically, for large-scale projects it is easier to purchase a land in less populated areas. On the other hand, closer position to consumers of energy means lower expenses on transmission.

We have updated maps and data of population density for the reference year 2010. Dataset Gridded Population of the World, Version 4 (GPWv4), Preliminary Release 2 was processed by Center for International Earth Science Information Network - CIESIN - Columbia University and released in 2014.

The part of the Solargis database covered by the MTSAT satellite, serving pvPlanner and iMaps applications, has been updated. This include regions of Australia, Pacific, Southeast and East Asia. Users of Solargis have now access to the most recent data developed with enhanced Solargis model version 2.0. For all online applications, the solar model uses improved and harmonized satellite and atmospheric data inputs, which have been available before only for Solargis climData deliveries.

Read more in Technical note covering the following topics:

• What has changed and what are the effects
• How does the updated online database compare to the previous version
• What is Solargis climData uncertainty in Australia, West Pacific, Southeast and East Asia
• Why is there a difference between Solargis climData deliveries and data from iMaps/ pvPlanner
• What is the current Solargis database coverage by satellite data

The last puzzle to the global mosaic - Solargis data for Hawaii, Alaska and Pacific islands is now available. Data from GOES-WEST satellite mission have been processed from 1999 (16+ years) onwards and incorporated into the Solargis database. Presently, data can be purchased on request. Gradually the data will be made available also via online applications iMaps, pvPlanner, climData, and pvSpot.