A Remote Renewable Energy Survey Service to help local cooncils and public bodies across the UK maximise their potential power assets has been launched by an energy developer.
A recent trial by Chester University located roof spaces and carport sites for solar power panels capable of generating 20% of the energy needed for its 65-acre Science and Engineering Faculty.
The service, which utilises light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and geographic information system (GIS) mapping, remotely assesses sites’ suitability for integrated renewable energy and provides public sector bodies with a pre-feasibility report analysing the potential to reduce their carbon emissions.
A recent report by the Solar Trade Association (STA) outlined the opportunities available to local authorities, in particular, for the development of successful solar projects, including excellent terms of borrowing, long project timescales and secure off-takers for the power generated.
However, while local authorities also benefit from easy access to council-owned land and roof space, maximising the profitability of prospective schemes remains essential in the absence of national subsidy supports.
The new service provided by Dulas complements the advantages set out by the STA by analysing the potential to offset local energy demand and reduce carbon emissions through the selection and appraisal of suitable locations for ground- and roof-mounted solar and other clean energy sources across a given area.
It then draws on LiDAR satellite data to gather information on the height of objects including buildings and vegetation to generate highly detailed terrain models.
30 May 2018
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