53 million cups of tea at a time!
Multi award-winning clean tech company Absolar has published its first nationwide set of Solar Performance Wrap Reports for its customers, revealing how high precision solar modelling and installation are transforming energy use and carbon reduction across a wide range of UK organisations.
The findings highlight a significant opportunity for the vast untapped rooftop potential that could speed up, at scale, the UK’s transition to clean energy.
Drawing on advanced AI powered remote sensing, high-resolution GIS analysis and proprietary building level modelling which it developed, Absolar is demonstrating how accurately assessing solar capacity, even before installation, can lead to dramatically improved system performance and measurable carbon savings.
The Southampton based company, founded by scientists and engineers from the University of Southampton, combines world leading digital mapping technology with full end to end solar installation and continuous optimisation.
This approach has drawn interest from major institutions such as the Royal Air Force, which commissioned Absolar to assess solar potential across its estate as part of its commitment to reach net zero by 2040 (10 years ahead of its original target).
Key findings reveal a major opportunity for the UK’s rooftops
The newly published Wrap reports highlight that across Absolar’s installation portfolio, buildings generated nearly 2.5 million kWh of clean energy in the past year, enough to make 53 million cups of tea! https://www.absolar.co.uk/2025wrap
The systems collectively avoided 382.5 tonnes of CO₂, while reducing energy costs for businesses nationwide.
Despite escalating policy pressure to decarbonise, less than 4% of UK buildings currently have onsite solar. Absolar argues that this is not due to lack of potential, but a lack of accurate insights.
Its remote assessment technology identifies suitable buildings without the need for manual surveys, making it possible to evaluate entire towns, cities and estates. This is a challenge that has historically held back rooftop solar at scale.
These are completely free for organisations and require no site visit. Please click here to enter your building’s address: Absolar | Remote Solar Survey
Case studies – how Solar Wrap Reports are showing measurable impact
Draper Tools – Industrial decarbonisation at scale
Draper Tools installed 904 Absolar solar panels across a roof containing more than 700 skylights, which was a complex environment requiring precise modelling.
Its Wrap Report shows:
CEO Matt Sheen said: “Seeing our system generate over half a million kilowatt-hours in its first year demonstrates just how worthwhile this investment has been. The detailed performance data is invaluable for our long-term sustainability planning.”
University of Southampton Science Park — A solar-powered innovation ecosystem
Home to more than 100 businesses, including Absolar itself, the Science Park has transformed its campus with Absolar’s rooftop solar panels on every building.
Its unique Wrap Report revealed:
Why this matters as a scalable pathway to clean energy adoption
Rooftop solar remains one of the most promising avenues for decentralised clean energy generation, yet adoption rates remain alarmingly low. Absolar’s data highlights systemic issues including the facts that most viable rooftops have never been assessed and traditional surveys are often slow, costly (especially to apply at scale) and inconsistent.
Absolar’s innovative modelling recreates buildings and entire cities in virtual 3D, delivering insights on potential energy yield, cost savings, shading impacts and CO₂ reduction, thereby addressing the pressing need for scalable solutions in the renewable energy sector.
A research driven approach to climate action
Dr Phil Wu, co-founder of Absolar, said: “Solar has enormous potential to reduce carbon emissions, but organisations often lack the accurate information needed to invest confidently. Our technology reveals the true solar capacity of buildings and shows exactly how much energy can be saved. These Wrap Reports translate complex modelling into clear, measurable impact.
“To tackle climate change, we need tools that make sustainable decisions easier, faster and based on reliable data. We’re proud to support businesses and institutions across the UK in taking meaningful, evidence led climate action.”
End to end from assessment to installation, through to long term optimisation
Unlike mapping only platforms, Absolar also installs the solar systems it designs, ensuring that modelling translates into actual carbon savings.
Installations meet relevant CDM, IEC, and BS EN standards and systems are continuously optimised to create transparent, yearly performance records that support ESG reporting. Absolar treats its customer relationships as long term partnerships which is deemed to be another key difference to other solar panel companies who manually assess, install and move onto the next project.
Organisations are invited to find out their building’s solar potential with Absolar’s free, unique online tool Absolar | Remote Solar Survey
Notes to Editors
Dr Phil Wu (吴越), BSc, MSc, PhD is CEO of AbSolar having previously worked as a researcher in Sustainable Energy within the Energy and Climate Change Division.
Originally from a material science background, Phil obtained an MSc in Sustainable Energy Technologies from the University of Southampton in 2011. His research project in energy storage for solar photovoltaic systems has contributed to the collaboration between the university and local industry, and demonstrated the feasibility of using a new type of batteries for storing electricity from solar systems. He was awarded PhD in Low Carbon City Assessment from the same department in 2016. His PhD research has contributed to a number of research programmes including the Liveable Cities project and the research outcomes are used by UK cities such as Southampton City Council.
Absolar is part of a PHD programme with the University of Southampton
