Work

A harmonized dataset of ground-mounted solar energy in the US with enhanced metadata

Year: 2025

Type: data-paper

Abstract: Solar energy generating systems are critical components of our expanding energy infrastructure, yet available datasets remain incomplete or not publicly available–particularly at the sub-array level. Combining the best open access datasets in the US with image analysis on freely available remotely-sensed imagery, we present the Ground-Mounted Solar Energy in the United States (GM-SEUS) dataset, a harmonized, open access geospatial and temporal repository of solar energy arrays and panel-rows. GM-SEUS v1.0 includes over 15,000 commercial- and utility-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar energy arrays (186 GW DC ) covering 2,950 km 2 and includes 2.92 million unique solar panel-rows (466 km 2 ). We use these newly compiled and delineated solar arrays and panel-rows to harmonize and independently estimate value-added attributes to existing datasets including installation year, azimuth, mount technology, panel-row area and dimensions, inter-row spacing, ground cover ratio, tilt, and installed capacity. By harmonizing and estimating attributes of the distributed US solar energy landscape, GM-SEUS supports diverse applications in renewable energy modeling, ecosystem service assessment, and infrastructure planning.

Source: Scientific Data

DOI: 10.1038/s41597-025-05862-4

Authors: Jacob T. Stid, Anthony D. Kendall, Annick Anctil, Jeremy Rapp, James C. Bingaman, David W. Hyndman

Institutions: Michigan State University, The University of Texas at Dallas

Language: English

Topic: Solar Radiation and Photovoltaics

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,490