Hello there, solar enthusiasts. It’s me, your trusted solar guide. Recently, I’ve been immersing myself in an exciting development in the solar industry that I think you’ll find interesting – the use of drones in solar site surveys, which marks a new step in the quest towards affordable and efficient solar arrays for homes.
Picturing an urban setting, one can’t help but notice the vast, underutilized rooftops. These flat roofs, especially on commercial and industrial sites, make an inviting platform for hosting solar projects. Yet, deploying solar panels for your home or community isn’t as simple as it might seem. Often, these supposedly flat roofs have features inclusive of minor irregularities which necessitate precise site investigation before the design and installation of a solar array can commence. This is where our tech-advanced friends, the drones, come into play.
Enter drone operators. Many solar companies these days are resorting to these flying marvels to perform swift site investigations and even gather comprehensive information about a site’s suitability for solar panel installation. With over 4,000 project surveys and mapping of a whopping 2.5 GW of proposed solar capacity, drone usage is blasting off in the solar industry.
Through the use of multiple sensors, drones are able to provide a complete depiction of a potential solar location. These include optical cameras, thermal imagers, and lidar systems which highlight surface variations, obstacle elevations, signs of subsurface moisture and the presence of lines and wires that could interfere with solar array installation.
A surprising revelation I found is that even the so-called flat roofs present a myriad of differences in construction, forming complex landscapes that conventional surveys might overlook. Therefore, the use of drone technology stacks up to be a cheaper, faster and most importantly, a more accurate method for site investigation than traditional methods.
Emphasis is also on the multi-purposed nature of these drone surveys. Beyond design and installation, drones fitted with thermal cameras can detect any hotspots in installed solar arrays, indicative of parts requiring maintenance. Additionally, lidar systems can help evaluate growing vegetation and new construction that might affect the site over time. Such usage ensures that your wonderful solar asset stays efficient and profitable throughout its lifecycle.
Let’s reaffirm the fact here – the future of solar is bright and drones are some of the glittering new sequins in the industry’s innovation mantle. They offer an advanced solution for preliminary site checks, design schematics, and ongoing maintenance, making the prospect of installing solar panels for your home an easier and more efficient process.
What was once an arena for big-budget corporations, high-quality solar is now becoming an everyday reality, thanks to technological strides like drones. And remember, each solar company or individual that takes a step towards renewable energy is playing their part in fostering a sustainable future, and that includes you! So, whether you’re in the market to install a solar array for your home or are already a solar convert, rest assured, drones and technologies alike are hard at work refining and revolutionizing the industry, making solar power accessible to all.
Stay solar-healthy and I’ll be back with more enlightening solar discussions soon!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/08/06/a-drones-eye-view-helps-find-the-perfect-solar-site/
