Introduction to Solarmaps

  • Updated on Apr 25, 2025
  • Published on Jan 31, 2025
  • 3 minute(s) read
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In this document

We will introduce you to the Solarmaps and how to work with it.

Introduction to Solargis Solarmaps

Important: You need an active Solargis platform account to access Solarmaps. If you do not have one, please contact you Solargis account manager. Afterwards, you can invite your coleagues to explore Solarmaps via the Solargis account administration.

Welcome to Solargis Solarmaps, a cutting-edge tool designed to provide you with comprehensive insights into solar resource availability and its impact on photovoltaic (PV) power plant performance. Developed by the Solargis team, this innovative platform empowers you—whether you're a PV power plant portfolio manager, operator, or analyst—with monthly and yearly averages data on key environmental factors such as solar irradiance, air temperature, precipitation, and wind speed.

Core features and applications

Solargis Solarmaps offers several core features that will be invaluable to you:

  • Map view: It helps to understand spatial patterns and relations.

  • Site-Specific Data Access: You can pinpoint specific locations on the map to retrieve its monthly or yearly data. This allows you to correlate unexpected performance issues with environmental conditions effectively.

  • Split View Comparison: The split view functionality enables you to analyze multiple variables simultaneously. This helps you understand the relationships between different environmental factors.

  • Graphical Data Visualization: You can visualize location’s historical data through charts. This capability allows you to identify seasonal patterns and variability in solar resource availability.

  • Custom Value Range Filtering: With this feature, you can define specific ranges for data visualization, making it easier to represent areas that meet your criteria geographically.

Important: Data displayed in Solarmaps might slightly differ compared to data in other Solargis applications. This is due to the distinctive data postprocessing and projection methods.

Solarmaps datasets

In Solargis Solarmaps, you have access to a variety of datasets that can enhance your analysis and decision-making regarding solar energy projects. You can select from different data aggregations available in the top menu, each providing relevant values based on your needs. Below are the datasets you can access, along with their available parameters.

  • Monthly Summary of Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI): Overview of solar energy received on a horizontal surface for the given month.

  • Monthly GHI Difference: Comparison of the current month's GHI against the long-term monthly average.

  • Monthly Average Air Temperature at 2 Meters: Average temperature measured at a height of 2 meters.

  • Monthly Air Temperature Difference: Variation of the current month's average temperature compared to the long-term monthly average.

  • Monthly Summary of Precipitation: Total rainfall recorded for the month.

  • Monthly Precipitation Difference: Comparison of this month's precipitation against the long-term monthly average.

  • Monthly Average Wind Speed: Average wind speed recorded over the month.

  • Monthly Wind Speed Difference: Difference in wind speed compared to the long-term monthly average.

  • Yearly Summary of Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI): Annual overview of solar energy received.

  • Yearly GHI Difference: Comparison of the current year's GHI against the long-term annual average.

  • Yearly Average Air Temperature at 2 Meters: Average temperature for the year measured at 2 meters.

  • Yearly Air Temperature Difference: Variation in annual average temperature compared to historical averages.

  • Yearly Summary of Precipitation: Total annual rainfall recorded.

  • Yearly Precipitation Difference: Comparison of yearly precipitation against long-term averages.

  • Yearly Average Wind Speed: Average wind speed for the year.

  • Yearly Wind Speed Difference: Difference in annual wind speed compared to historical averages.

  • Long-Term Monthly Average GHI: Historical average values for each month over an extended period.

  • Long-Term Monthly Average Air Temperature: Historical monthly average temperatures.

  • Long-Term Monthly Average Precipitation: Historical averages for monthly rainfall.

  • Long-Term Monthly Average Wind Speed: Historical averages for wind speed by month.

  • Long-Term Average GHI: Overall historical average of solar irradiance across all months.

  • Long-Term Average Air Temperature: General historical average temperature data.

  • Long-Term Average Precipitation: Overall historical averages for precipitation.

  • Long-Term Average Wind Speed: General historical averages for wind speed.

Data acquisition ranges

Solar data

TEMP, PREC, and WS data

from 1994 upwards (depending on the region) to 2024 (last full year)

1994 to 2024 (last full year)

Solarmaps interface

Solarmaps interface is intuitive and easy to navigate:

  1. Top navbar where you select your preferred dataset layers to show on the map.

  2. Your selected map location. You can select up to three locations to compare their parameters.

  3. Available parameters to show on the map. You can customize each layer's color style and displayed range.

  4. The parameter analysis section displays selected locations and related charts for examination.

  5. Base map selector.

  6. Help and documentation access.