Google Earth & Environmental Problems and Solutions

Solar energy study area maps of various states of the U.S. are available through the Solar Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Systems (PEIS).  These maps show various regions of the country in which solar energy is currently being studied (Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS, 2010).  Previously available only in GIS, new solar energy area maps can be viewed in Google Earth (Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS, 2010).

These solar energy study area maps provide information about where solar power is being experimented with.  The layer does little to inform the public about how to invest in solar energy or learn more about how it is beneficial to the environment.  The field of solar energy would also greatly benefit from the development of additional layers as supplements to the EIS layer.

The blue regions, pictured above, indicate regions of the country where solar energy is being experimented with and developed.

Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS. (2010). Solar Energy Study Area Maps. Available from http://solareis.anl.gov/eis/maps/index.cfm