The importance of quality GIS data for solar site selection

In today’s solar energy market, data-driven decision-making is essential to achieving successful solar site selection and overall project profitability. Solar developers are under pressure as the renewable energy sector grows to make the right decisions on where to locate projects based on accurate, high-quality GIS data.

Poor data quality costs are significant, leading to failed projects, unexpected expenses, and missed growth opportunities. Quality data ensures informed choices; as the saying goes, “quality in, quality out.” By using accurate parcel data, capacity data, LMP data, flood risk data, and more, developers can lay the groundwork for profitable and efficient projects. But what if you could access all this critical data in one streamlined platform designed to remove data-related risks and maximize efficiency?

With PVcase Prospect, solar developers gain a complete GIS data solution to power every stage of solar site selection. So, let’s dive into the importance of quality data in parcel, grid capacity, LMP, and flood risk assessments, and how a comprehensive platform like PVcase Prospect can redefine the entire process.

Parcel data: the foundation of solar site selection

Accurate parcel data is crucial for successful site selection. At the heart of solar site selection is parcel data, which provides detailed information on property boundaries, addresses, land ownership and contact information, land use classifications, and zoning restrictions. This data is fundamental to ensuring that potential sites are feasible for solar projects, as inaccurate or outdated parcel and ownership data can lead to wasted time and resources.

Imagine this scenario: you’ve been developing a solar project for several weeks, operating under the assumption that all the parcels are owned by a single landowner. You’re ready to approach them to pitch the project, only to find out that they actually sold part of that land a year ago. It’s a difficult situation and a clear example of wasted time and effort because of outdated parcel information. Without accurate, up-to-date parcel data, developers can find themselves barking up the wrong tree, leading to lost opportunities and unnecessary delays.

Selecting a site without accurate parcel data can also result in logistical obstacles and wasted time, requiring developers to return to the drawing board.

Why high-quality parcel data matters in solar project development

Accurate parcel data enables developers to identify suitable sites with confidence. By eliminating unsuitable locations, developers can streamline their workflow and focus only on high-potential sites. 

However, it’s essential to recognize that no single source of parcel data is perfect. Different data providers vary in accuracy and coverage, and the goal is to find the best overall accuracy for the region of interest.

PVcase Prospect addresses these challenges by pulling data directly from parcel data provider servers without caching, ensuring that developers always have access to the latest and most accurate parcel data.

This real-time data access allows solar developers to make faster, more informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls of outdated information. With PVcase Prospect, solar site selection becomes more efficient, reducing time and resources spent on preliminary evaluations and letting developers focus on the most promising locations.

Capacity Sata: assessing grid accessibility for solar projects

Grid capacity is a make-or-break factor in solar site selection. When selecting sites for solar projects, proximity to and interconnection feasibility with existing grid infrastructure is critical. Capacity data offers insight into whether nearby substations can accommodate sufficient additional energy input from new solar installations based on the planned project size.

Failing to evaluate grid capacity accurately from a project’s inception can lead to costly setbacks. For instance, selecting a site without sufficient grid capacity may require expensive infrastructure upgrades or, in the worst cases, could lead to the abandonment of the site altogether due to prohibitively expensive costs.

Challenges in capacity data quality and its role in solar project development

Not all capacity data is created equal. Some models may be overly conservative, while others may lack the detail needed for a reliable assessment. Further, many capacity consultants may provide capacity studies that are not geo-located and are thus difficult to operationalize when it comes to searching for sites around POIs with sufficient capacity or costs. It’s also important that any capacity solutions also cover allocated costs so that solar developers understand what they will be on the hook for financially in order to achieve the necessary capacity for a project.

Overly restrictive models might prematurely disqualify sites, while overly optimistic projections could cause costly missteps.

Accurate capacity data helps developers avoid these issues, allowing them to narrow down sites based on realistic energy input possibilities.

PVcase Prospect provides reliable, geo-located real-time injection and charging capacity studies by bus data, allowing developers to analyze substation capacities accurately and identify sites with adequate grid compatibility.

By accessing high-quality capacity data, developers can make better-informed decisions about solar site selection and avoid locations that may struggle with grid integration. This ensures that the chosen site will support efficient project development and operation.

LMP data: optimizing financial performance through energy pricing insights

Energy costs play a crucial role in a solar project’s financial success, making Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP) data invaluable in the solar site selection process. 

LMP data allows developers to identify areas and specific POIs with favorable energy pricing, maximizing project profitability. Understanding location-based energy costs is key to modeling revenue and assessing long-term project viability, as it helps developers estimate potential revenue based on energy price variations over time. It is crucial to have high-quality pricing information at the top of the process to ensure that development teams do not waste time on sites located in areas with poor or unfavorable pricing.

Pitfalls of low-quality LMP data and the role of PVcase Prospect

Poor-quality or incomplete LMP data can lead developers to overestimate or underestimate a project’s revenue potential, impacting profitability projections and long-term financial goals. Additionally, some sources of LMP data may not offer nationwide coverage, which can further complicate site selection. PVcase Prospect, however, provides LMP data for all areas of the country where it is available.

It is also important that LMP data be analyzed in meaningful ways to help developers interpret the data for their needs. PVcase Prospect offers data broken down in ways that include total averages, solar weighted averages, min/max spread, and basis calculations. These data points help solar and battery storage developers understand pricing more deeply for their specific project technology types, ensuring they are targeting areas with the right pricing for their technologies.

With PVcase Prospect, developers gain access to premium LMP data that supports profitability assessments and allows for site selection based on accurate financial data.

This advantage ensures that projects are placed in locations where energy costs align with the financial objectives, allowing for a more strategic, profitable approach to solar project development.

Flood data: managing site-specific risks to protect investments

Flood risks represent another significant consideration in solar site selection, both in the short-term and long-term. Flood-prone locations can endanger solar infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and downtime. 

But even in the short-term, developers are often in the dark on actual flood risk for a site and may get surprised by insurance costs and actual buildable acreage based on traditional methods for early-stage flood risk due diligence. 

Developers often rely on FEMA flood maps for basic assessments, but these maps are outdated, do not take into account climate-change’s impact on severe weather events, and have very limited coverage leaving many developers completely in the dark when it comes to flood risk evaluation.

Benefits of high-quality flood data for sustainable solar project development

To address the limitations of traditional flood data sources, PVcase Prospect provides premium climate-adjusted Flood Risk data that helps developers assess accurate flood risk across a site from day one of a project’s inception.

This data allows developers to avoid high-risk zones and better estimate actual buildable acreage, reducing the likelihood of early-stage surprises and longer-term flood-related damages and securing a project’s long-term profitability. 

Bonus: slope and aspect data for optimized solar capture

High-resolution slope data and slope aspect data are invaluable for developers seeking the highest energy yields. Slope data measures the gradient across a given site, while the slope aspect helps developers understand the direction the land faces.

Together, they help developers determine a site’s buildability and potential for sunlight capture throughout the day and over seasons. Sites with ideal slopes and aspects reduce the need for expensive site modifications and increase energy efficiency by allowing optimal panel positioning.

PVcase Prospect offers advanced GIS data for slope and aspect considerations, enabling developers to refine their site selection process and choose locations that require minimal modifications while offering maximum sunlight exposure. 

By incorporating slope data and aspect data into solar site selection, developers can maximize a site’s potential, thereby enhancing overall project efficiency and profitability.

Bonus: environmental impact data for sustainable solar site selection

Today, sustainable development is a priority for many solar developers. Environmental impact data allows developers to assess the ecological impact of their projects by identifying areas with sensitive ecosystems, protected species, or other environmental considerations. 

By factoring in this data, developers can choose locations that minimize negative effects on natural resources and avoid ecologically sensitive areas.

Final thoughts: so why quality data matters?

In solar project development, every data layer — from parcel data to flood risk assessments — plays a critical role in ensuring successful outcomes.

The accuracy of each component in the GIS data toolkit directly impacts a project’s financial and operational viability.  By choosing PVcase Prospect, developers can access a high-quality, real-time GIS data platform that enhances every aspect of solar site selection.

Are you ready to elevate your site selection process? With PVcase Prospect, you’ll gain a powerful ally in solar project development, accelerating site selection due diligence, minimizing risks, and maximizing your project’s potential.