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The In My Backyard (IMBY) tool's step-by-step instructions will walk you through the process of creating estimates of your solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine electricity production. However, if you have questions or need additional help, see detailed instructions for the:


Location Tab

Follow the steps below to enter your information in IMBY's location tab.

Step 1. Enter your location.
Type your street address in the field. You may enter a full address with city and state (e.g., 1617 Cole Blvd, Golden, CO) or ZIP code (e.g., 1617 Cole Blvd. 80401). When you are done, click the Find button. The map will zoom in to your location.
Step 2. Select your energy type.
Select Solar or Wind to start your electricity estimate.

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Solar Tab

Follow the steps below to use IMBY's Solar Electricity Estimator.

Step 1. Draw your system.
If you need to zoom in closer to your location, use the zoom tool on the left of the map. Push the + button to zoom in and the - button to zoom out.
To draw your system, first click the Draw button. Then, on the map, position your pointer at one corner of your planned PV array. Click to set the first point. Move the pointer to the next corner, and click again. Continue to click to create points until your system is the shape you want. IMBY will fill in the space between your points with a shaded box to indicate the area of your array. When you are done, double click. IMBY will close the shape you drew and calculate your inputs.
If you make a mistake and need to start over, double click to close the existing shape. Then click the Clear Map button at the top right of the map. Click the Draw button, and draw your new array.
Step 2. Adjust the inputs.
Based on the location and size of the array you draw, IMBY will calculate suggested inputs for your PV electricity production estimate. When creating these estimates, IMBY assumes you are installing a fixed-tilt PV array. If you want to use a different array type, you'll need to use the PVWatts™ calculator.
If you know your system differs from the suggested inputs, you can adjust them. To do so, click in the appropriate field and type in your information. The Help link provides additional information about each field. Learn more about derating, tilt angle, and azimuth angle.
The Year field allows you to choose the year of solar data that IMBY uses to create a production estimate. By choosing a specific year, you can compare your system's output with your actual load profile for a given year.
Step 3. Estimate your production.
When you are satisfied with your inputs, click the Run button. IMBY will calculate your estimated electricity production.

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Load Tab

The load tab displays in the solar simulation results pop-up window. Follow the steps below to compare your electricity consumption with your estimated solar electricity production.

Step 1. Select a load profile.
You can choose to use a sample load profile for your area or your own custom load profile.
  1. Use a sample load.
    To use a sample load, select an option from the drop-down box. The sample load profiles are based on data for an 1,800-ft2, three-bedroom, two-story residential home. The differences among the sample profiles are due only to climate difference among locations.

  2. Upload a custom load.
    To upload your own custom load profile, click the Upload button to browse for your profile document. This document must contain your profile information in comma-separated value format. See the Help link for more information.
Step 2. Run load profile.
Click the Run button to see your results.

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Wind Tab

Follow the steps below to use IMBY's Wind Electricity Estimator.

Step 1. Draw your system.
If you need to zoom in closer to your location, use the zoom tool on the left of the map. Push the + button to zoom in and the - button to zoom out.
To draw your system, first click the Draw button. Then, on the map, position your pointer over the location where you would like to site your wind turbine, and click. A dot will appear on the map to indicate your turbine position. If you want to add more turbines, repeat these steps.
If you make a mistake and need to start over, click the Clear Map button at the top right of the map. Then click the Draw button to draw new turbines.
Step 2. Adjust the inputs.
Based on the location of your turbine, IMBY will calculate suggested inputs for your electricity production estimate. To change the turbine type or height, click the arrow to the right of the field and select an option from the drop-down box.
Step 3. Estimate your production.
When you are satisfied with your inputs, click the Run button. IMBY will calculate your estimated electricity production.

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