University of Southampton – mapping potential for solar energy

A PhD student and entrepreneurial engineer at the University of Southampton, Dr Phil Yue Wu, developed an innovative piece of software with the potential to contribute to a greener society with affordable energy for all. The software creates a 3D virtual city using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and high-resolution raster data collected by remote-sensing technologies. By showing the levels of solar radiation on rooves throughout the year, the model enables him to instantly see which buildings are most suitable for solar energy systems, so people can find out easily whether their home or office could generate solar energy. Now a Research Fellow in the University’s Sustainable Energy Research Group, he has founded the University spin-out company, Absolar, working with the University’s start-up accelerator.

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