Shape, aspect, material, greening and the presence of solar panels are among the catalogued details.
According to the data, 1.3million UK homes, now have solar panels fitted, while 0.1% have thatched roofs and 92% are made of either tile, stone or slate.
The Ordnance Survey National Geographic Database [OS NGD] already holds extensive information on Britain’s buildings, including whether they are used for commercial, retail, industrial or residential. The expanded study can now identify the location of roofs suited to energy production or nature-restoration efforts, retrofitting to prevent heat loss and boost efficiency.
‘This is the most significant collection of new and existing data for buildings in the OS National Geographic Database since it was created in 2022,’ said John Kimmance, Chief Customer Officer for Ordnance Survey [OS]. ‘With the addition of the new roof data, OS can support so many different sectors with achieving key insights and deliverables – from insurance and property to local authorities under pressure to meet biodiversity net gain targets. And we’re not stopping here—more building datasets are in the pipeline for future release.’
You can access the full database here.
The full NGD data now includes:
Roof shape and aspect
- Roof shape: identifying whether a roof is flat or pitched, which supports carbon net zero initiatives, which supports carbon net zero initiatives, retrofitting and solar panel suitability.
- Roof aspect: determining the predominant orientation in eight directions (eg north, northeast, east), supporting green energy planning.
Roof material
OS now provides data on the predominant roof materials for 25 million addressable buildings, categorising them as waterproof membrane/concrete, fabric, glass/polycarbonate, green roof, metal, thatch, or tile/stone/slate (on 92% of buildings). Interestingly, only 0.1% of British buildings have thatched roofs. The area with the highest total number is Sidmouth, East Devon.
This data will:
- Support green energy solutions by mapping solar panel and green roof potential.
- Aid in heat loss modelling for energy efficiency planning and maintenance.
Green roofs
A green roof is defined as at least partially covered with vegetation, usually specifically installed on a waterproof membrane. This new dataset will be invaluable for sustainability and biodiversity projects, supporting:
- Urban biodiversity (e.g. shelter for pollinators, air filtration, oxygen generation).
- Energy efficiency (e.g. reduced urban heat islands, increased cooling system performance).
- Enhanced solar panel efficiency.
Solar panel mapping
For the first time, OS has identified the presence of solar panels, revealing that 5% (nearly 1.3 million buildings) across Britain have them, and are mostly domestic. Scotland has the highest proportion of domestic solar panels. The top three districts in Britain are Stirling (15%), South Cambridgeshire (14%), and Peterborough (13%).
This data will revolutionise market analysis and investment strategies for:
- Property valuation and energy efficiency ratings.
- Green financing and investment.
- Renewables incentives programmes.
- Carbon footprint analysis for businesses and residential areas.
Image: Ordnance Survey
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