Bluesky Launches Solar Mapping Marketing Service

Coalville, Leicestershire, 10 May 2012 – Aerial mapping company Bluesky has launched a new solar power marketing service that pinpoints properties with the greatest potential for solar power generation. Pre-addressed postcards sent directly to home owners show their property from the air and include predicted power generation from solar panels. These customisable mailing campaigns can be produced by Bluesky for solar panel installers, power companies and others promoting solar energy, such as local councils.

Bluesky has a unique method of calculating the potential for energy generation from solar panel installations on individual properties using their own countrywide aerial photography and 3D computer models. By combining this highly accurate geographic data with advanced georeferencing techniques Bluesky is able to produce property specific information for the mailing campaigns.

The targeted, easy to understand marketing materials highlight the potential for power generation from solar panels in an easy to understand map form. The postcard, or other mailing document, details the number and type of panels the property could accommodate and shows how the house compares to other properties in the same street.

“This is a highly cost effective way of marketing solar panels that is already proving hugely popular,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of Bluesky International. “By personalising the marketing material with property specific information and imagery the recipient is far more likely to look at it in the first instance and then respond to the promotion on offer.”

Bluesky has already assessed the solar power potential of more 500,000 properties in the UK. This significant milestone was reached within a year of the launch of Bluesky’s innovative service which provides independent assessment of the potential power generation from solar panel installations on property roofs. The company, which has pioneered the mapping of solar energy potential, has also announced a project to produce a nationwide solar potential map. 

Bluesky calculates the energy potential using high resolution aerial photography combined with 3D data to determine the size, aspect and gradient of individual properties. The suitability of each roof element is then considered taking into account roof shape and other impediments such as sky lights or dormer windows, as well as potential obstructions such as neighbouring properties or trees.  


Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing.  An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies.

Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.

Bluesky is now leading the way developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first nationwide map of solar potential, citywide ‘heat loss’ maps, 3D maps of trees and their proximity to buildings and historical imagery.