Sometimes, imagining your solar system is the hardest part. You can write down all the numbers you want, do all the math and still you’re just not sure. I myself am a visual learner. So when I was clued in to roofray.com, the latest in solar sites looking to help homeowners get started, I got real excited. This site takes the online calculator to a whole new level. In fact, you can draw your dream solar system right onto the roof of your house.

Essentially what roofray does is allow you, using Google Earth, to click and drag the proposed location (more than one if you like) of your solar array right across your roof as if you were standing on the moon. You just enter some more basic information like the slope of the roof and which way it slopes and the program will calculate the estimated solar potential for an array in that spot. It really can’t get much easier than that.

It doesn’t stop there either. You can also input your electricity usage and other information and get a cost analysis for your dream system. Furthermore, you then post your solar array, or roofray, to their online community. It doesn’t matter if your system is in place or if you’re “still dream’n.” You can check it out, including a short demo, at the website. Once you’ve got it all figured out and you’re ready to make your dream a reality, CalFinder Solar will connect you with qualified, pre-screened solar installers.

Posted on August 27th in Going Solar, Solar Information by Dan.