Google Maps for Portfolio Management

Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1
1. Mass plotting of location markers on Google Maps ....................................................................... 2
1.1. Pre-requisites .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.1.1. Google Account ............................................................................................................... 2
1.1.2. Spreadsheet file of site details ........................................................................................ 2
1.2. Launch Google Maps............................................................................................................... 2
1.3. Click on Your places ................................................................................................................ 3
1.4. Create / Go to your Maps ....................................................................................................... 3
1.5. Create a new map layer .......................................................................................................... 3
1.6. Import the spreadsheet into the layer.................................................................................... 4
1.7. Position your markers using address and postal code columns ............................................. 5
1.8. Choose the column to title your markers ............................................................................... 5
1.9. Complete! ............................................................................................................................... 5
2. Use Google Earth Pro to draw circles ............................................................................................. 6
2.1. Pre-requisites .......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.1. Google Earth Pro ............................................................................................................. 6
2.2. Create a folder to keep all the shapes you have made........................................................... 6
2.3. Search the globe for location .................................................................................................. 6
2.4. Draw the circle ........................................................................................................................ 6
2.5. Export the set of circles out in a KMZ file ............................................................................... 8
3. Superimpose circles on Google Maps ............................................................................................. 9
3.1. Repeat Steps 1.2 to 1.5 above ................................................................................................ 9
3.2. Import the KMZ file into the layer .......................................................................................... 9
3.3. Complete! ............................................................................................................................... 9

Introduction
Google Maps is a useful tool that allows you to plot the location markers of your solar photovoltaic
(PV) sites on a geographical map. Additionally, there are other geometric shapes, such as circles and
lines, that you can overlay on Google Maps to designate specific territories, regions, or areas of
coverage.

The purpose of this guide is to teach the user how to plot the addresses of their solar PV sites in
their portfolio, and overlay circles, which represent the areas of coverage for the user’s
pyranometers and other sensors, on to Google Maps. The resulting map will be informative and
visually appealing to viewers.

This guide is split into three parts:

(i) Part 1 – Mass plotting of location markers on Google Maps

(ii) Part 2 – Use Google Earth Pro to draw circles
(iii) Part 3 – Superimpose circles onto Google Maps

1. Mass plotting of location markers on Google Maps

1.1. Pre-requisites
1.1.1. Google Account
• A Google account is necessary for the user to access some of the functions in Google
Maps and Google Earth. It is recommended to create a new Google Account and not use
your personal Google Account for this task (e.g. create [email protected], which can
be accessed by company custodians assigned to look after this account.)

1.1.2. Spreadsheet file of site details

• The fastest way to plot markers on Google Maps is to upload a spreadsheet file
(Microsoft Excel), or text file (CSV format) of the site details. Each row corresponds to a
site, while the columns describe the site’s attributes.
• For better organization of markers in the map, it is recommended that each map layer
hold a collection of sites that share a common characteristic. For example, one can
have map layers for HDB Phase 1 sites, HDB Phase 2, etc. Each map layer corresponds to
a spreadsheet file containing the collection of sites.
• The recommended layout for your spreadsheet is shown below. At the minimum, you
need to include the address and postal code for each site, otherwise Google Map will
not know where to plot your site.
project name name address postal code date of commissioning
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 101A Punggol Field_G1 101A Punggol Field 821101 6/12/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 101B Punggol Field_G1 101B Punggol Field 822101 5/19/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 101C Punggol Field_G1 101C Punggol Field 823101 6/12/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 101D Punggol Field_G1 101D Punggol Field 824101 1/8/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 102C Punggol Field_G1 102C Punggol Field 823102 3/24/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 102D Punggol Field_G1 102D Punggol Field 824102 6/12/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 104A Edgefield Plains_G1 104A Edgefield Plains 821104 5/20/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 104B Edgefield Plains_G1 104B Edgefield Plains 822104 3/28/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 105A Edgefield Plains_G1 105A Edgefield Plains 821105 3/28/2014
HDB Phase 2 (Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council) 105B Edgefield Plains_G1 105B Edgefield Plains 822105 3/28/2014

1.2. Launch Google Maps

• Launch Google Maps on your PC by clicking on this link: https://www.google.com/maps
• Login to Google.
1.3. Click on Your places

1.4. Create / Go to your Maps

• If you are creating your map for the first time, click on CREATE MAP. Else, click on the
existing map.

• If you click on an existing map, you will be brought to a view-only page of your map. Click on
Open in My Maps link so that you can work with an editable version of your map.

1.5. Create a new map layer

• In the left pane, click on Add layer.
• You should see a new Untitled layer appearing at the bottom of the pane.
• Rename the new layer accordingly.

1.6. Import the spreadsheet into the layer

• In your newly renamed layer, click on Import.

• A new upload window will appear. You can upload your spreadsheet file through this
window.
1.7. Position your markers using address and postal code columns
• Check the address and postal code boxes. This is for Google Maps to know which columns in
your spreadsheet it will use to position the markers.

1.8. Choose the column to title your markers

• Typically, one would choose address to name your markers. If you decide to change your
mind and want to use another column instead, you can do so later.
• Click Finish.

1.9. Complete!
• Your sites are now properly marked on Google Maps!
• If you click on a specific marker, you should see its title and other column attributes
appearing in a pop-up card.
2. Use Google Earth Pro to draw circles
2.1. Pre-requisites
2.1.1. Google Earth Pro
• You need to have Google Earth Pro installed in your computer. Go to
https://www.google.com/earth/versions/#earth-pro to download it on your PC.
• Google Earth Pro allows you to draw customized geometric shapes on a map, which can
be exported out as a .kmz file and uploaded onto Google Maps.
• This is necessary as Google Maps does not allow users to draw customized geometric
shapes currently.

2.2. Create a folder to keep all the shapes you have made
• One the left-hand pane, right click on My Places, select Add, and click on Folder.
• Give the new folder a name and click OK.

2.3. Search the globe for location

• We shall assume that you already have a list of locations to install pyranometers.
• The area of coverage of each pyranometer will take the form of a circle of 3 kilometres in
radius.
• In the left pane, type in the address of the location you want to draw your circle and click
Search. The globe should zoom in to the physical location of the address.

2.4. Draw the circle

• On the top pane, click on the Ruler icon. The Ruler pop-up window should appear.
• In the pop-up window, click on the Circle tab.
• Ensure that the units of Kilometres is selected for Radius.

• Position your mouse over the location you want to draw your circle.
• Click once and pull your mouse away from the location you have clicked. You should see a
circle forming and enlarging as you pull away.
• Keep and eye on the numerical value of the radius of the circle as you adjust its size. Once
your circle is at 3km radius, left click your mouse to lock the size of the circle in place.
• Click the Save button in the Ruler pop-up window.

• Give a name to the circle you have drawn – preferably the address of the location at the
centre of the circle. You can also change the colour of the circle under the Style, Color tab.
Once done, click OK.
• Repeat the steps listed above in 2.3 and 2.4 to draw more circles on the globe.

2.5. Export the set of circles out in a KMZ file

• Once you are done with drawing all your circles, you should see a list of circles under the
new folder which you created previously.
• Right-click the said folder, and click on Save Place As…

• Choose a location in your PC to save the KMZ file.

3. Superimpose circles on Google Maps
3.1. Repeat Steps 1.2 to 1.5 above
• You should have a new map layer to take in the KMZ file.

3.2. Import the KMZ file into the layer

• In your newly renamed layer, click on Import.

• A new upload window will appear. Upload your KMZ file through this window.

3.3. Complete!
• Your pyranometer circles are now superimposed on Google Maps.
• Now it is easy for you to see which sites are under which pyranometers’ areas of coverage.