Google’s New Initiative For Going Green Is A Game-changer!

The green initiative (with a capital G) is on!

In this case, ‘G’ stands for Google as the company is looking at three types of “greens” - clean energy, natural elements and money!

What is it that Google is doing, you ask? Let’s explore:
 

What Is Google Doing?

 

• Google recently announced that it launched three new tools aimed to “make it easier for developers to map solar, air quality and pollen information”.

• The plan is to host the new tools on Google Maps, which will provide updated information on solar power potential, air quality and pollen levels, making use of its artificial intelligence (AI), aerial imagery and environmental data to push decarbonization efforts by businesses.

• Reportedly, Google plans to license these tools to companies looking to build renewable energy-based products, with a view of earning up to $100 million in the first year.

• As per the report, the companies involved include SunRun, Tesla Energy, Aurora Solar, PG&E, Marriott Bonvoy, Redfin and Zillow.

 

What Are The Three New Tools?

 

• The new tools, in the form of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), are called Solar API, Air Quality API and Pollen API.

• The Solar API will use mapping and computing resources to make detailed rooftop solar potential data available for more than 320 million buildings across 40 countries. It will also tap into the 2015-launched Project Sunroof, which helped users calculate cost and saving estimates and the required space for installation. #GoSolar

• The Air Quality API will offer insights of reliable air quality data, pollution heatmaps and pollutant details for over 100 countries by using data from multiple data sources like government monitoring stations, meteorological data, sensors and satellites to provide a local and universal index.

• The Pollen API will show daily pollen counts and information on the most common allergens in over 65 countries. The tool will also provide localized pollen count data, heatmap visualizations, detailed plant allergen information and help limit exposure. This will be done by crossing machine learning to track pollen locations with local wind patterns and spread predictions.

 

How Will This Help Businesses?

 

• For the Solar API, Google will make use of high-resolution 3D models of individual roofs to calculate sunlight availability factoring in historical weather patterns and energy costs. This will save businesses time, money and effort in surveying and installing solar panels and other hardware.

• The Air Quality API and Pollen API will let customers request air quality data, pollution level data, pollutant and health-based recommendations, etc. for specific locations. This will also come with heat maps depicting hourly air quality data with air quality history of up to 30 days.

• Google has been trying to streamline and push its Maps platform operations and look for new avenues to generate revenue through it. According to reports, the company could generate somewhere between $90 and $100 million in the first year after launch.

• Google also has plans to monetize individual building data and data collected on particular cities or counties by selling it to renewable energy businesses for various projects.

 

What’s The Word From Google?

 

• According to Yael Maguire, VP and GM, Geo Sustainability at Google, believes the tools will help reach the company’s goal of reducing one gigaton of carbon equivalent emissions per year by 2030 by helping people, cities and its partners.

• He said, "With these three new Google Maps Platform APIs, businesses can access comprehensive and up-to-date environmental information to develop sustainability products and help people adapt to the impacts of climate change."

• "We're dedicated to building tools that organize environmental information and make this data useful for companies, cities and partners so we can all take collective action."

Google is already generating revenue through licensing its mapping API, as observed in a deal struck with Uber who paid Google $58 million over three years.

Businesses should take note as the company is about to bring detailed information about air quality, pollutants and solar energy which may boost business for companies engaged in renewable energy products.

What do you think of Google’s new and shiny APIs? Will more businesses pivot towards green energy with such initiatives for Big Tech?

Let us know in the comments below!