Your roof, step by step
Clear measurements. Two layouts. A summary to review together.
1. Choose the house location
The location is used by PVGIS to estimate solar production. Maps does not measure your roof automatically.
Find the house on Google Maps ↗
In Maps choose Satellite and mark the roof location. Return here and paste the coordinates or the link to that selected point. Entering an address alone does not select a position.
How to copy the Maps location on a phone or computer
On a phone: press and hold on the roof to drop a pin, open its information and choose Share → Copy link. Alternatively copy its coordinates. On a computer: right-click the roof point and click the first row containing two numbers to copy them.
Paste the two numbers unchanged, for example 41.9028, 12.4964. Do not use directions links or just the map viewport centre. If a link contains no recognisable selected point, use the coordinates.
No location selected.
Reopen this exact point in Maps to verify it ↗
You can close Maps: the location stays on this page and will be included in the result. To keep it with your calculations, press “Add to my report”.
Google receives the address when you open Maps; the site contacts Google to resolve a short link. When you request production, the site sends coordinates, slope, orientation and system assumptions to PVGIS, without an address or name. Data details.
Your starting estimate
Geometric estimate of two regular grids, not the absolute installable maximum. Shading, structural capacity, wind/snow, required clearances, fixings, wiring and electrical compatibility need an on-site assessment.
Second view: panels on your own roof photo
Optional, with no paid services. Upload your own overhead photo and mark the four corners of the same rectangular area used in the calculation. The same panels and clearances shown in the diagram will be drawn.
The photo must show one clear roof plane, with all edges visible. Do not use a street-level photograph: perspective can hide parts of the roof. This preview does not measure the house or detect obstacles.
How to prepare a roof photo or screenshot
- Open the Google Maps link above and find the house.
- Choose a top-down Satellite view without 3D tilt and zoom in to show the whole roof plane.
- If you are allowed to use that image, save a screenshot using your phone or computer controls. Keep logos, copyright and attribution visible. Alternatively use your own overhead photo.
- Return here, press “Choose a roof photo”, and select the saved image.
- Mark the four corners of the measured area following the instructions below: the panels from the diagram will appear on the photo.
A screenshot is a picture of your screen. You can close Maps afterwards. The image does not replace the geographic point: for local production, import and confirm the coordinates too.
The photo is processed only in your browser: it is not uploaded to the server or sent to Carmine. Use images you are allowed to use and keep any attribution. No photograph is downloaded automatically from Google.
- Tap the first corner on the upper edge of the roof plane, parallel to the ridge.
- Tap the second corner at the other end of that edge: this is the width.
- Continue around the perimeter to the third corner, down towards the eaves.
- Finish with the fourth corner. The panels will appear automatically.
Keyboard alternative: enter corner positions
Panels are an illustration with frames and cells, not a photograph of an installed system. Confirm the layout to download a PNG. The original photo and attribution remain visible.
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How the calculation works
The model subtracts edge clearances, compares portrait and landscape modules and selects the grid with more whole modules. Gaps are included. With plan-view dimensions, only the depth down the slope is converted by dividing by the cosine of the slope angle.
For each side: count = floor of (usable space + gap) ÷ (module side + gap). Power = module count × Wp ÷ 1,000. Annual energy = kWp × local yield in kWh/kWp. In PVGIS mode, yield comes from the European Commission service for the selected coordinates, slope, orientation and losses; monthly values are scaled to the calculated capacity. This is potential production, not self-consumption or guaranteed energy after battery losses.
Are satellite images enough?
They help locate the house and its orientation. They do not certify dimensions, slope, shadows or roof condition; imagery may also be outdated.
Can a flat roof be calculated the same way?
Only for modules parallel to the plane. Tilted rows and east-west mounting systems require their own spacing and shading assessment.
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