Is it worthwhile to set up solar panels on the house? - Google has answer to this question as well

(Photo: Shutterstock / manfredxy)

Powered by Google Maps, Project Sunroof can tell users how much sun is hitting their roof and how much they might be able to shave off their power bills.

According to Google, it already has access to all the information needed to create detailed maps of your rooftop's candidacy for solar harvesting. It combines Google Maps' extensive database of aerial images with 3D modeling of the roof, taking into account shade offered by nearby objects likes trees, possible sun positions and cloud and temperature patterns in the area.

This results in a customized analysis of your roof's solar potential. Project Sunroof then tells you how many hours of usable sunlight your roof is exposed to, how much of that is available for placing solar panels and the savings in store if you decide to go ahead.

Figures are offered up for different scenarios, such as leasing solar panels, taking out a loan to pay for them or buying them outright. If the numbers are looking good, Google also offers up the contact details of local solar providers to get the ball rolling.

To begin with, Google has only introduced the service to residents of Boston, San Francisco Bay Area and Fresno. It says soon it will grow to cover the entire US and afterwards, the whole globe.