Green Me Now

California to Wyoming to Wisconsin--so began the spread of current-generation solar installations on private roofs in the U.S. The open PV mapping project, run by the National Renewable Energy Lab, has been tracking such installations since 2000.

The web site features a progression map video of the contiguous United States. As the video progresses through the years, states change color--an indicator of the increasing quantity of roof-based solar energy systems. The East Coast has yet to achieve a “red state,” indicating more than 5,000 installations, whereas the video begins with a prominent red California.

The project is a collaborative effort of government, industry, and the public, and your participation is requested. The current map consists only of estimates of installations at this point.

Project officials seek contributors from all states. The effort will also aid in tracking the U.S. Department of Energy objective of photovoltaic grid parity by 2015.