Why Wiki-Solar's Database is the best

Of course other databases of utility-scale solar projects have appeared since ours was created in 2012. But we are convinced that ours remains the most reliable and comprehensive.

The most comprehensive

Because we use such a wide range of sources, our Database has the widest coverage of utility-scale solar projects in operation and development. In particular we receive input from participants active in the sector, ensuring that our data is more comprehensive and accurate than those providers which can access only published sources.

The range of parameters we record on the Database is also significantly wider than other information providers in this sector.

The most consistent

Because of the wide range of resources we - and others - use, we often get information about a project from more than one source. We take stringent measures to ensure that these do not lead to duplicate Database entries (while others often list the same project more than once). In particular our mapping capability - described on the right - provides assurance that visible plants cannot be counted more than once.

Minimum redundancy

In addition to duplicate elimination, we do not include announced projects until they have made substantive development progress. Many projects are publicised every week, but a high proportion of these do not progress - if for example they fail to secure planning approval, grid connectivity or financing. These projects are often shown in other databases, long after they have been scrapped. As detailed here, we include projects only when they have achieved tangible milestones.

The most accurate

Our job is not over when a project is entered onto the Wiki-Solar Database. We are constantly editing records to ensure that the data is as up-to-date as possible. Whenever new data is published by our sources, we compare that to our own, creating new records and updating others as required.

We can also use our mapping capability to validate elements of the data, in particular the plant capacity, site area and online date.

The most intelligent

All of this needs a lot of maintenance, and Wiki-Solar has developed the most advanced - AI supported - data management system to carry out the work as efficiently and rapidly as possible. We have conversion software to interrogate all major data sources and convert and compare to our own Database so that record creation and editing is comprehensive and efficient.

The best coverage

We have had the opportunity to compare our data with others on a couple of occasions in recent years. Although they appeared to have a similar number of active projects, the others had many unrecognised duplicates, while Wiki-Solar held 10-30% more actual solar generation plants.

Intelligent mapping

We have always used mapping to assist our users and support our data accuracy.

There is no better evidence of the existence, size and timing of a utility-scale solar projects than its appearance on a satellite image. This resource also makes it much easier to identify and eliminate potential duplications.

We capture these footprints and use them for data validation and duplicate elimination. We also make them available to our Omni+ and Supra+ customers.

We have attempted, in partnership with several technology suppliers, to use AI-assisted routines to identify new solar plants on satellite images. Success has been patchy, but we hope for improvements in the future.