Southampton firm Absolar uses AI to make solar panel installation easier

A Southampton company is pioneering the use of AI to make it easier for businesses and households to install energy-saving solar panels.

Absolar, a spin-out company from the University of Southampton based on the University’s Science Park in Chilworth, is using unique AI-based remote sensing and GIS technology to carry out solar surveys for any of the UK’s buildings, property portfolios and cities.

A solar audit – delivered by Absolar’s team of solar experts, made up of solar data scientists, property experts, and approved installers - includes energy profile analysis, system design, funding opportunities, structural surveys and obtaining any permissions required for the project to go ahead.

The aim is to help property owners, businesses and local authorities to get the best performance out of solar panels to cut both their electricity bills and carbon emissions.

Absolar will tell customers whether or not their properties are actually suitable for solar panels in the first place, long before they make the decision to purchase.

Absolar’s technology could help reduce energy costs and advise on renewable solutions – from initial decision-making to complete installation project management and post-installation support.

Nic Cory, co-founder of Absolar, explains: “Not only is solar becoming an increasingly popular choice of renewable energy, the cost of living crisis continues to make life more difficult for families across the country who are struggling to pay their energy bills, forcing them to consider alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.

“We perform a review of the case for installing solar to a property and even though the outlay can be expensive, many people will see the technology pay dividends and give them greater certainty about investing in solar.”

Nic added: "If households are really struggling, they can apply for government funding which can be a huge help, such as ECO4.

"In the current climate, a typical 3-bedroom home can use around to £1,900 in electricity a year. However, by using Solar PV, families can typically see those bills drop by over 40%."

As well as households, businesses also benefit from Absolar’s pioneering technology.

Nic explained: “Businesses are all about managing risk so they find our initial surveys very attractive because we can determine whether or not it’s worth them considering installing solar panels in the first place.

“Once we get the go-ahead we then run the different installation stages in parallel so we can reduce the overall timescale to get the project up and running and paying for itself as quickly as possible.”

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