How Solar Siting Surveys identify the potential for local solar generation [WEBINAR] - 2/27/18

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The webinar provides valuable, actionable insights into how to systematically identify solar siting opportunities on distributed-scale properties. The argumentation is pragmatic and evidence-based, using Germany’s deployment statistics to support the viability of the 10 kW–1 MW segment. The presentation is well-structured, moving from mission and objectives to methodology, case study results, and integration capacity analysis. The use of real survey data and live demonstrations strengthens the credibility of the claims. However, the value is primarily practical rather than theoretical; the speaker does not delve into economic modeling or policy trade-offs in depth, and the argumentation relies mainly on descriptive examples rather than rigorous quantitative comparisons.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate. The webinar references public utility data (e.g., PG&E ICA maps) and the Clean Coalition’s own previous surveys, but no peer-reviewed studies are cited. The methodology is clearly described and the tools are appropriate, yet the accuracy of estimates is not independently verified. The title matches the content well, as the webinar indeed focuses on how solar siting surveys identify potential for local generation. The sources utilized are mostly the organization’s own resources and publicly available utility tools, which is adequate for an introductory technical presentation but not for a scholarly review. The overall rigor is acceptable for a professional audience but not exceptional.

The title accurately describes the webinar content: it explains how solar siting surveys identify solar generation potential.

7/10

The presentation provides a clear methodology for solar siting surveys, references public data from utilities, and provides access to slides and reports. However, it is an organizational webinar without external validation, and some claims are not fully cited.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and webinar logistics
• 03:00Overview of Clean Coalition mission and goals for 80% renewable by 2025 and 25% local energy
• 08:00Comparison with Germany's solar deployment success in the 10 kW–1 MW segment
• 12:00Definition of solar siting survey and its role in feed-in tariff programs
• 18:00Presentation of PAEC survey area and key findings: 65 MW potential, >40% on parking lots
• 24:00Example of aggregated sites and data fields (capacity, address, density, ICA)
• 29:00Live demo of Google Earth and Google Maps showing survey results
• 40:00Explanation of Integration Capacity Analysis (ICA) and PG&E feeder maps
• 51:00Live demonstration of PG&E ICA map with different feeder capacities
• 58:00Summary and Q&A on accessing resources

• PAEC Webinar 2 slides — Presentation slides referenced during the webinar, containing survey results and methodology details.
• Clean Coalition website — General website mentioned as source for solar siting surveys and related resources.

• PG&E Distribution Planning — The webinar references PG&E's ICA maps, but no specific URL is provided in the description.