This foundational spatial dataset provides the building footprint geometries and contextual attributes that enable all rooftop solar analyses in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder collection, serving as the essential geographic framework linking solar potential to specific locations.
The dataset integrates Microsoft Bing building footprints with Australian Bureau of Statistics mesh block boundaries, elevation derived from the Elvis – Elevation and Depth (Geoscience Australia) dataset, and 2021 Census dwelling counts, creating a comprehensive spatial reference for approximately 16,000 buildings across 530 mesh blocks. Each footprint includes geometric attributes, statistical geography codes (SA1-SA4, mesh block), topographic classification, elevation, and population context.
This resource enables users to filter solar datasets by administrative boundaries, analyse potential across different land use categories, relate solar capacity to population density, or develop custom spatial queries joining solar metrics with other urban datasets. It serves as the join key between solar irradiance/potential estimates and real-world building locations.
Critical applications include spatial planning analysis (identifying high-potential zones for solar incentive programs), equity assessment (evaluating renewable energy access across socio-economic areas), and infrastructure planning (relating distributed generation potential to grid connection points). GIS analysts can use mesh block and SA codes to integrate solar data with ABS Census statistics, health data, or other spatially-referenced datasets.
Footprints represent 2013-2018 building stock and may not capture recent construction. Elevation values support topographic context, but solar calculations use flat-roof assumptions. This is the recommended base layer for all spatial analyses using the solar datasets.
Comprehensive technical documentation, including data dictionary, usage examples, and processing methodology, is available in here; software stack details and calculation workflows are documented in here.