Project Summary

Rooftop solar means greater generation of renewable energy, closer to where it is used. Unlike ground-mounted PV, it does not result in more industrial structures in the countryside. However, understanding the possible scale of rooftop solar means mapping the potential in the region based on rooftop availability, shade and obstacles like trees and chimneys.

Led by Dr. Luke Blunden and Dr. Ellis Ridett, this project is designed to empower local decision-makers, planners, and community groups by:

• Identifying possible “hotspots” for rooftop solar PV systems
• Supporting strategic planning for solar energy generation
• Guiding resource allocation for a sustainable future

The solar resource GIS mapping tool was created by the University of Southampton’s Energy and Climate Change Division, in collaboration with CPRE Hampshire and Sussex and supported in part by the Centre for the South. This innovative tool assesses the solar potential of all rooftops across Hampshire and Sussex, while also mapping existing and planned ground-mounted solar farms.

By providing actionable insights into how and where solar energy can be harnessed, the tool aims to contribute to building resilient, low-carbon communities. which is already helping 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 identify hotspots for 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. By providing clear insights into solar potential, this tool is supporting smarter decision-making for a more sustainable future.

In June 2024, CPRE Hampshire held an inaugural rooftop solar conference, bringing together key players in local energy policy to explore the region’s rooftop solar potential, and present new rooftop mapping research from the University of Southampton to support this initiative.

This was followed up by a recorded webinar in October 2024 in which Dr Blunden and Dr Ridett gave a demonstration of the live version of the web map, along with Q&A.

It’s great to see this work being used to 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀—and if you’re involved in planning or community energy, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀!