Drones helping solar energy’s cost

Solar power is the fastest growing form of energy generation in the US, surging 41% between 2016 and 2017. While the solar industry is growing fast, it still only makes up 1.9% of the total electricity generated. Solar is projected to generate 21% of total installed electric capacity in the United States by 2050. To maintain this rapid growth, the solar industry is now looking to drones for help.

Use of drones constantly evolving

The solar industry is already adopting drones, building on their success in other businesses. For example, construction companies that have implemented in-house drone programs have seen considerable savings, doubled safety rates, and cut project times in half. These savings led to a massive 239% increase in drone use in the construction industry last year. Solar energy projects are starting to see similar results as solar developers use drones to decrease costs across every stage of a solar operation from design to construction, and even in maintaining the system.

Drones used for surveying 

Before construction on a solar farm can begin, every solar developer needs up-to-date topographical information about the property. Developers traditionally have two options: rely on publicly available data or implement a new ground survey. Existing information is often outdated or lacks the accuracy needed to produce land bids. Conducting new land surveys takes professionals days and sometimes weeks, often in difficult terrain. With a competitive market for bidding and purchasing properties, companies can lose potential land opportunities if they don’t move quickly. Drone maps allow surveyors to gather real-time, accurate topographical data ten times faster, reducing the process down to a few hours in most cases.

Solar residential operations utilize drones as well

Residential solar systems also use drones. These companies face challenges while sending roof surveyors out to a property to take physical tape measurements by clambering across rooftops for 2 to 3 hours. Drone flights can be as short as 15 minutes and capture far more accurate measurements without ever having to step foot on the roof. Roof surveyors have reported they can do double the surveys per day, all while achieving higher accuracy and increased safety for their teams.

Solar panel maintenance with help from drones

Drones can generate dynamic visuals, including 3D models, elevation data, and high-resolution maps, that aircraft, and satellite imaging cannot deliver. Drones produce maps with half-of-a-centimeter-per-pixel resolution, meaning that surveyors can spot even infinitesimal details. But drones go beyond just traditional visuals and can help users see the previously unseeable.

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system!

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.