Renewable Energy Classifier

Determine the optimal renewable energy source based on climate and geographic conditions using scientific scoring algorithms

5
Parameters
3
Energy Types
24
Max Score
8
Presets

Parameters

Average Temperature 20°C
Typical daily average temperature for the region
Wind Speed 5 m/s
Average wind speed at hub height (~80-100m)
Precipitation 60 mm
Monthly average rainfall/precipitation
Elevation 500 m
Height above sea level
Snow Depth 5 cm
Average snow accumulation depth

Results

Recommended Energy Source
☀️ Solar
High confidence (clear winner)
☀️
Solar
0
/ 9 max
💨
Wind
0
/ 7 max
💧
Hydro
0
/ 8 max
📊 Score Breakdown
Solar
Wind
Hydro
💡 Analysis
Based on your parameters, solar energy is the optimal choice...

Score Relationships

See how changing each parameter affects energy scores

Score vs Temperature (°C)

Solar
Wind
Hydro

Score vs Wind Speed (m/s)

Solar
Wind
Hydro

Score vs Precipitation (mm)

Solar
Wind
Hydro

Score vs Elevation (m)

Solar
Wind
Hydro

Energy Source Details

Detailed information about each renewable energy type

☀️
Solar Energy

Harnesses sunlight through photovoltaic cells or concentrated solar power. Best suited for regions with high solar irradiance, low cloud cover, and minimal precipitation.

20-25%
Panel Efficiency
25+ yrs
Lifespan
~$0.03
Cost/kWh
48g
CO₂/kWh
Scoring Criteria
Temperature > 15°C +3 pts
Temperature > 25°C +2 pts
Precipitation < 50mm +2 pts
Precipitation > 150mm −3 pts
Snow depth < 10cm +1 pt
Elevation < 2000m +1 pt
💨
Wind Energy

Converts kinetic wind energy into electricity via turbines. Ideal for open plains, coastal areas, and elevated ridges with consistent wind patterns.

35-45%
Capacity Factor
20-25 yrs
Lifespan
~$0.04
Cost/kWh
11g
CO₂/kWh
Scoring Criteria
Wind speed ≥ 4 m/s +2 pts
Wind speed ≥ 6 m/s +3 pts
Elevation 500-2000m +1 pt
Precipitation < 100mm +1 pt
💧
Hydro Energy

Generates power from flowing water through turbines. Requires significant water resources from rivers, reservoirs, or seasonal snowmelt.

90%
Efficiency
50+ yrs
Lifespan
~$0.05
Cost/kWh
24g
CO₂/kWh
Scoring Criteria
Precipitation > 100mm +2 pts
Precipitation > 150mm +2 pts
Snow depth > 20cm +2 pts
Elevation 300-2000m +2 pts

Global Renewable Energy Facts

30%
Global electricity from renewables (2023)
1,418 GW
Installed solar capacity worldwide
906 GW
Installed wind capacity worldwide
1,392 GW
Installed hydro capacity worldwide

Example Locations

Real-world regions optimized for each energy type

🇺🇸 Mojave Desert, USA Solar

High solar irradiance (5.5-7.5 kWh/m²/day), minimal rainfall, 300+ sunny days annually. Home to multiple utility-scale solar farms.

🇩🇰 North Sea, Denmark Wind

Consistent 8-10 m/s winds, shallow waters ideal for offshore turbines. Denmark generates 50%+ electricity from wind.

🇧🇷 Itaipu Dam, Brazil Hydro

Paraná River provides massive water flow. Second-largest hydroelectric dam globally, supplying 15% of Brazil's electricity.

🇦🇺 South Australia Solar

Semi-arid climate with excellent solar resources. Leading region in rooftop solar adoption with 35%+ household coverage.

🇬🇧 Scottish Highlands Wind

Atlantic exposure creates strong, consistent winds. Scotland aims for 100% renewable electricity, primarily from wind.

🇳🇴 Norwegian Fjords Hydro

Steep terrain and abundant rainfall/snowmelt. Norway generates 98% of electricity from hydropower.

💡 Optimization Tips

☀️
For solar, south-facing installations (in Northern Hemisphere) with 30-35° tilt angles maximize annual energy capture.
💨
Wind turbines perform best when placed at heights of 80-120m where wind speeds are stronger and more consistent.
💧
Run-of-river hydro systems have lower environmental impact than large dams while still providing reliable baseload power.
🔋
Combining multiple renewable sources (hybrid systems) can provide more consistent power generation year-round.
📊
Consider seasonal variations: solar peaks in summer, wind often peaks in winter, hydro depends on rainfall patterns.
🌍
Local grid infrastructure and land availability are critical factors beyond just climate conditions.