A program and database called Wind and Solar Prospecting Tools provides immediate access to seasonal variability data critical to understanding a site’s energy potential. The software, from 3Tier, Seattle, provides quick and unlimited access to seasonal data for wind and solar resources around the world. The software uses a point-and-click interface and lets renewable energy developers, financiers, and manufacturers access information for any location worldwide, and compare-and-contrast sites with the click of a mouse. The subscription-based product provides map-based, point-and-click access to monthly mean wind speed, annual mean speed, and annual mean direction. Data is available for 20, 50 and 80 m above ground. Solar annual and monthly means include Global Horizontal Irradiance, Direct Normal Irradiance, and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance.
The suite provides access to 3TIER’s 5-km resolution global wind dataset and the company’s 3-km resolution solar irradiance dataset. Solar dataset coverage includes North America, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Global-solar coverage will be reached in the coming months as data is validated.
Filed Under: Software
