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Helios – what plug-in solar could generate for any address in Britain

Helios – what plug-in solar could generate for any address in Britain

by ruaraidh·May 30, 2026·126 points·44 comments
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AI Analysis

●●SolidNiche GemBig Brain

Government LIDAR data powers UK-specific solar estimates when Project Sunroof doesn't cover Britain.

Strengths
  • •LIDAR skyline integration calculates actual shading from buildings and hills, not just roof angle.
  • •Graceful fallback to synthetic horizon outside LIDAR coverage areas keeps tool functional.
  • •Targets newly legal plug-in solar market before competitors establish presence.
Weaknesses
  • •UK-only scope limits audience; Scotland and Wales have reduced LIDAR coverage accuracy.
  • •Solar generation calculators already exist (Project Sunroof, PVWatts) for other regions.
Category
Other
Target Audience

UK homeowners and renters considering plug-in solar panels

Similar To

Google Project Sunroof · PVWatts Calculator · Energy company solar estimators

Post Description

Plug-in solar panels (no electrician needed) have just become legal in the UK and will go on sale soon. Helios estimates how much electricity a typical installation could generate at a given address and what that's worth against your tariff.

It uses UK government LIDAR data to reflect the actual skyline, so it knows whether there's a building or a hill blocking the sun.

Caveats: - Outside LIDAR coverage (most of Scotland and Wales) it falls back to a synthetic horizon (less accurate). - Trees and recent developments (post-2022 or so) may not be in the data, and some address placements could be off (geocoding via OSM).

Feedback on the shading model especially welcome.

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