Peter Koekoek for Daily Planet:  A new web-based tool provides free access to accurate data about the solar power potential of your location – or any other part of the world.

Recent research has revealed how Americans across the political aisle are united by renewable energy. Roughly the same amount of people with rooftop solar power installations are Republicans and Democrats.

But geographically, not all places on the planet equally suitable for solar power – and that does not only include the amount of solar radiation that reaches the surface. The air temperature and terrain elevation may also impact how well solar equipment will fare in a particular area.

In some regions, less solar panels are needed to generate the same amount of power compared to other areas. The Global Solar Atlas now provides you with a colourful world map that allows zooming in on areas of up to one kilometre.  Cont'd...