Aerial surveying company Bluesky has secured European funding for research into the development of a web based renewable energy rating platform.
Bluesky will investigate the use of geographic data to assess the suitability of individual properties for solar energy generation and create a web based portal to deliver this data online, working with partners from across Europe. On completion of the research project, Bluesky will retain the rights to the 'engine' that is used to analyse the raw data as well as the web portal and back-end systems.

The title of the research project is 'Development and demonstration of a dynamic, web based, renewable energy rating platform' and is funded by the Commission of the European Communities under Framework Programme 7.

Framework Programmes (for Research and Technological Development) are funding programmes created by the European Union to support and encourage research. The total fund awarded is 2.4 million Euros commencing from the project start which will before the end of 2011.

Bluesky will be working with a number of organisations including the Solar Trade Association in the UK, Svensk Solenergi of Sweden, Solar Macedonia, Alemanys Saludes Asociados from Spain as well as the Universities of Leicester, Karlsruhe in Germany and Selcuk in Turkey. The project will be coordinated by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE) with Bluesky acting as lead for the technical aspect.

'This is a tremendous achievement for Bluesky and is recognition of the pioneering work we have already undertaken into green energy mapping,' commented Rachel Tidmarsh, managing director of Leicestershire-based Bluesky International. 'We are proud to be working with some of the leading organisations in this field from across Europe and we are looking forward to the challenges this research project will present.'

The research will initially focus on the exploitation of geographic data, such as aerial photography and LiDAR, to determine the suitability of a property for renewable energy production. The aim of the project is to create a web based portal to deliver this information on every property in the EU.

Initially focused on solar generation, it is expected the project will also encompass other types of renewable energy such as wind, hydro and ground source heat.