Calculate your green potential

Delaware residents who are considering installing equipment to generate solar or wind power at their homes can use a new tool based on data collected by the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS).

In conjunction with the Green Energy Program of the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, residents can enter their address in an online calculator that will assess the availability of wind and solar radiation at a particular location.

State subsidies are available to cover up to half the costs of installing renewable energy systems, says David Legates, associate professor of geography and Delaware state climatologist.

“However, the landowner must verify that the location selected has sufficient wind speeds and/or solar radiation to warrant installation,” he says. “That’s where DEOS comes in.”

The Green Energy Spatial Calculator provides data about the frequency and intensity of wind speed and solar radiation from the DEOS weather station closest to the location entered. Homeowners enter their address and request data for wind speed, solar radiation or both and can specify the height of the wind turbine they plan to install.

To use the online calculator, go to [http://www.deos.udel.edu/dgep].