Solar Radiation & Rooftop Feasibility Assessment (Screening)

Objective

Evaluate parcel-scale solar exposure and land cover constraints to identify feasible locations for rooftop or ground-mounted solar installation at a screening level.

• Quantify relative annual solar exposure across rooftop surfaces.
• Identify constrained or unsuitable areas using slope and land-cover screening.
• Produce decision-ready maps to support preliminary installation planning.

Data used

• USGS 1m DEM - elevation input for solar radiation modeling
• ArcGIS Pro Area Solar Radiation raster - modeled annual insolation based on terrain and sky conditions
• National Land Cover Database (NLCD) - identification of tree canopy, developed surfaces, and vegetated areas
• Parcel boundary geometry — masking and final visualization

All datasets were projected into a common coordinate system and aligned prior to analysis.

Approach

A GIS-based solar feasibility screening model was developed using:

• Annual Solar Radiation Surface
  ArcGIS Pro Solar Radiation tool used to model relative insolation across rooftop surfaces.
• Slope & Aspect Screening
  Roof planes evaluated for pitch and orientation to identify favorable installation angles.
• Surface Constraints
  Land cover and structural limitations screened to exclude unsuitable areas.

All inputs were standardized and combined through raster-based analysis to produce a parcel-scale solar feasibility surface.

Key outputs

• Classified solar radiation suitability surface
• Parcel-clipped NLCD land cover visualization
• Final overlay identifying feasible installation locations
• Map demonstrating constraint-driven suitability interpretation

Summary of findings

• Moderate to high modeled solar exposure occurs across portions of the parcel.
• Extensive tree canopy significantly limits feasible ground-mounted installation areas.
• The southern garage roof is the only clearly suitable location for solar panel placement within the parcel.

Parcel-only clipping improved clarity and interpretability of results.

Limitations

• Solar radiation values represent relative exposure, not exact system output.
• DEM-based modeling does not capture fine roof detail or small obstructions.
• Land cover data may not reflect recent canopy changes.
• Structural capacity, permitting, and financial feasibility were outside the scope of this screening.