What is GIS data?
GIS stands for 'geographic information system'. It is designed for the storage, manipulation, analysis and presentation of 'geographic' datasets.
Geography refers to spatial data that is organised with reference to locations on the Earth's surface. This is accomplished through different 'reference' frameworks, which the most common one by far is latitude & longitude.
A key aspect of GIS data is the coupling of the locational information with 'attribute data', which is just a fancy way of saying 'the additional information the spatial characteristics of the location.
What is solar GIS data?
Taking both of the elements above and applying them to solar radiation estimates produces solar GIS data. It includes a given location (latitude and longitude), plus time-series information (attribute) about the historical, live or forecast solar irradiance and weather at that location.
How to access solar GIS data
Solcast offers several different types of solar GIS data. These are:
Each of these have locational and attribute data.
For example, a user can request live and forecast solar radiation or PV power data through a 'Simple' Latitude & Longitude request.
Customers can also create 'sites' for Utility Scale, Rooftop PV and Solar Radiation Data, to repeatedly grab live & forecast information for a set of given locations. Part of the attribute information is then the 'resource ID' that denotes that set location. (Read more in our docs)
Access solar GIS data within minutes through the
Get started now, for free, with no credit card or detailed personal information required. You can register for access to the Solcast API services, and test out the solar GIS data in only minutes!
Solcast have built these solar GIS data options with YOU in mind. Our goal, is to help you get the job done, and make that solar-powered future a reality.