Can I use my API key with more than one Cloud project?
No, only use your API key for one Cloud project. If you have more Cloud
projects, each should have their own API key. Note that, within a single
project, it's normal to have several API keys.
New data are added all the time, but we don't have a specific refresh rate
for specific regions. Some regions use imagery that is several years old.
Please check the dates of the relevant imagery, and feel free tofile
feedback.
Where can I learn more about the assumptions for the solar financial analysis?
Google uses information about government solar incentives, along
with other financial data and models, fromClean Power
Research.
Are chimneys and skylights taken into consideration by the API when making an assessment of solar panel placement?
Yes, with height maps chimneys and skylights are identified as small
rectangles, and solar panels are excluded by the model.
Can the API see inside of buildings?
No, just the roofs.
Can the API make assessments for a specific apartment within a building complex?
Depends. The model uses Google Maps data, and so if the apartment is
classified as a whole building in Google Maps, then the roof of a specific
apartment of that building are displayed as separate.
Why does the API sometimes not return any data for a building which I know exists?
This can happen when there are newer buildings that did not exist when
mapping was realized at the time.
How can I use the flux solar data layer for visualizing shade?
North-facing roofs get less flux (solar
irradiance), which means
they will have higher shade. You can leverage this information when
performing solar assessments. The flux data layer lets you visualize
flux in colors.
You can alternatively make your own flux tiles and customize their colors,
especially if you wish to locate specific numerical values of shade on a
roof.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-09-04 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eThe Solar API provides tools and data for solar potential assessment, including financial analysis and shade visualization.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUsers can access support resources and migration guides for transitioning from previous API versions.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eGoogle Maps data is used for building identification and solar panel placement, with limitations for newer buildings and interior assessments.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThe API offers data layers like flux and DSM for visualizing shade and performing custom calculations, accessed via short-lived URLs.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eCost management strategies are available through Google Cloud's budgeting documentation.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],["To migrate, consult the migration guide. For help, see support options. Error codes are detailed in HTTP status code documentation. Each Cloud project requires its own API key. Limit costs with budgeting documentation. Data refresh rates vary by region; provide feedback on old imagery. Solar financial analysis uses Clean Power Research data. The API considers chimneys/skylights and assesses only roofs, not building interiors. Shade is visualized via flux data; use `hourlyShadeUrls` for shade animation. Customize with flux and DSM solar data layers. URLs provide temporary access to download data layers.\n"],null,["# Frequently Asked Questions\n\n**European Economic Area (EEA) developers** If your billing address is in the European Economic Area, effective on 8 July 2025, the [Google\n| Maps Platform EEA Terms of Service](https://cloud.google.com/terms/maps-platform/eea) will apply to your use of the Services. [Learn more](/maps/comms/eea/faq). In addition, certain content from the Solar API will no longer be returned. [Learn more](/maps/comms/eea/solar).\n\nHelp\n----\n\n### How do I migrate to the new Solar API from the previous version?\n\n- Review our [migration guide](/maps/documentation/solar/migration).\n\n### Where can I get help?\n\n- Check out [Support Options for Solar API](/maps/documentation/solar/support).\n\n### What do these error codes mean?\n\n- Read more about [HTTP status codes](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Status).\n\nProject configuration\n---------------------\n\n### What permissions do I need on my Cloud project?\n\n- See [the documentation](https://developers.google.com/maps/roles).\n\n### Can I use my API key with more than one Cloud project?\n\n- No, only use your API key for one Cloud project. If you have more Cloud projects, each should have their own API key. Note that, within a single project, it's normal to have several API keys.\n\nCost\n----\n\n### How do I limit costs?\n\n- See the [Budgeting\n documentation](https://cloud.google.com/billing/docs/how-to/budgets) for strategies and tips.\n\nSolar model\n-----------\n\n### How often are data refreshed?\n\n- New data are added all the time, but we don't have a specific refresh rate for specific regions. Some regions use imagery that is several years old. Please check the dates of the relevant imagery, and feel free to [file\n feedback](https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/new?component=1356349&template=1817492).\n\n### Where can I learn more about the assumptions for the solar financial analysis?\n\n- Google uses information about government solar incentives, along with other financial data and models, from [Clean Power\n Research](https://www.cleanpower.com/).\n\n### Are chimneys and skylights taken into consideration by the API when making an assessment of solar panel placement?\n\n- Yes, with height maps chimneys and skylights are identified as small rectangles, and solar panels are excluded by the model.\n\n### Can the API see inside of buildings?\n\n- No, just the roofs.\n\n### Can the API make assessments for a specific apartment within a building complex?\n\n- Depends. The model uses Google Maps data, and so if the apartment is classified as a whole building in Google Maps, then the roof of a specific apartment of that building are displayed as separate.\n\n### Why does the API sometimes not return any data for a building which I know exists?\n\n- This can happen when there are newer buildings that did not exist when mapping was realized at the time.\n\n### How can I use the flux solar data layer for visualizing shade?\n\n- North-facing roofs get less flux ([solar\n irradiance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_irradiance)), which means they will have higher shade. You can leverage this information when performing solar assessments. The flux data layer lets you visualize flux in colors.\n- You can alternatively make your own flux tiles and customize their colors, especially if you wish to locate specific numerical values of shade on a roof.\n\n### How can I use `hourlyShadeUrls` from the [dataLayers service](/maps/documentation/solar/reference/rest/v1/dataLayers)?\n\n- You can get back a daily snapshot of shade throughout the year, and produce an animated GIF or video of shade changing during a year.\n\n### Can I perform my own custom calculations?\n\n- Yes, can use the flux and DSM (height map at each point) solar data layers for greater customization.\n\n### Why does the API return a URL, and what can I do with them?\n\n- The URLs are short-lived pointers to enable you to download the corresponding data layers."]]
