Solar Power Estimation of Capacities and Tracking Using Machine Learning

From Pixels to Progress

ABOUT SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM is a proprietary model and web platform developed by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). It allows users to visualize rooftop solar installations and estimate potential solar capacity across the Philippines.

The platform’s name reflects its use of multi-spectrum satellite imagery—including infrared and visible light bands—to detect solar installations. By analyzing high-resolution images (30 cm to 50 cm), SPECTRUM automatically identifies solar panel systems and calculates their capacity, enabling smarter, data-driven energy planning and policy development.

FILLING THE SOLAR DATA GAPS

The Philippines lacks comprehensive data on installed solar power systems, especially those not registered in government programs like Net Metering and Distributed Energy Resources. SPECTRUM helps fill this gap by detecting rooftop solar installations from satellite images and estimating their generation potential.

These insights support national efforts to raise renewable energy’s share in the power mix to 35% by 2030, in line with policies such as the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and decentralized energy initiatives.

SPECTRUM SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS

Hover/Tap to View

AI Powered Detection

AI Powered Detection

Proprietary machine learning models identify solar panels in satellite images.

Capacity Estimation

Capacity Estimation

Estimates capacity using a standard ratio: 1 megawatt per hectare (10,000 sq m) of detected solar panel area.

Localized Insights

Localized Insights

Aggregates results at the municipal, city, utility, and provincial levels to support energy analysis and planning.

PROTECTING USER PRIVACY

While SPECTRUM maps and estimates the capacity of detected solar PV installations, it does not share raw vector polygon data or exact site coordinates, as these could serve as proxies for addresses. Instead, only aggregated capacity estimates are shared and made available for download at the barangay, municipality or city, and distribution utility levels.

TABLE OF MODEL RESULTS

Category F1 Score Precision Recall
Overall 87.81% 84.47% 91.43%
Residential 81.51% 85.56% 77.82%
Commercial and Industrial 85.87% 87.15% 84.63%
Utility 95.87% 93.85% 97.98%
Background 0.0 0.0 0.0

EXPLORE OUR DATA

Explore how machine learning and satellite data come together to provide accurate, up-to-date estimates of solar energy capacity across the Philippines. Whether you’re a policymaker, developer, local planner, or researcher, SPECTRUM offers valuable insights to support evidence-based decisions and help accelerate the country’s clean energy transition.

Click the link below to access the platform and see how SPECTRUM is making rooftop solar more visible, measurable, and actionable!

ACCESS PLATFORM