Innovating Solar Intelligence: Ysgol David Hughes sixth form students take on the sky camera challenge 

At Lightsource bp, innovation drives our mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables. So, last year, we were thrilled to partner with the talented sixth form students of Ysgol David Hughes on Anglesey, through the STEM Cymru’s Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW).

Our Innovation team set an exciting and technically demanding challenge: design and build a prototype sky camera capable of predicting solar power output on an ultra-short timescale – just five minutes or less! Using fish-eye lens cameras to monitor cloud cover, the students needed to create a weatherproof system that integrates seamlessly with our site communications, all while keeping costs under £500. This budget-conscious approach required the team to think creatively, opting for affordable alternatives to the expensive high-resolution cameras typically used in the market.

The outcome was impressive. The students developed a working sky camera prototype at a fraction of the target cost, meeting the key requirements of the brief without compromise. Their ingenuity and practical problem-solving skills have set a new high standard for future projects.

Building on this success, last month we challenged two new groups of sixth formers to refine the original design. Their goal: develop a computer model to analyse real-time sky images and predict solar irradiation instantly. If successful, this technology could enable solar farm operators to accurately forecast energy generation levels within minutes, enhancing operational efficiency and grid integration.

This collaboration highlights the powerful impact of partnering with local STEM education initiatives. We eagerly anticipate seeing how these talented students continue to develop their projects and look forward to their presentations in the Spring.