Las Vegas-based solar installer Sol-Up USA says it will now use unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to assess roof spaces to aid in the drafting and designing process.
Sol-Up says a UAS can revolutionize photovoltaic system design by allowing for more optimized and precise calculations and measurements. The company will be using the DJI Phantom II.
The engineering and design process for solar PV systems often relies on satellite images. Newly constructed homes do not appear on satellite images until many months later – hence the need for aerial views in these situations, Sol-Up says.
Using a UAS also eliminates the risk of human accidents: ‘We no longer have to send workers up rooftops to examine available spaces for solar panels,’ says Tu Anh Tran, a Sol-Up engineer.
According to the company, this is the first time a drone is being used as part of the engineering operation of a solar power company in Nevada.
