In today's fast-evolving solar industry, the adoption of in-house data collection is revolutionizing solar asset management. These data collection programs rely on the use of drones, which are widely recognized for efficiency, accuracy, and safety, and which are instrumental in aerial inspections of solar portfolios. But what lies behind the growing trend of implementing in-house data collection programs with drones?

This is the first part of a 3 part series where we will dive into the implementation of in-house drone programs. 

Cost Efficiency in Data Capture

Traditionally, the expenses associated with aerial inspections and analytics have often accounted for more than 50% of a project's costs. Operators have often incurred labor constraints and scheduling issues that delayed inspections.

In-house drone programs are rewriting this narrative. By allowing teams to collect data at will, these programs significantly reduce expenses and enhance data capture efficiency. The shift enables swift and on-demand inspections, leading to timely remediation of issues and the elimination of third-party contractor payments. 

The Need for Granular Asset Health Data

The escalating demand for frequent and detailed assessments of solar asset health stems from increasing equipment underperformance. In-house data collection programs facilitate the collection of crucial data whenever needed, creating a robust system of record for each site in a portfolio. 

The comprehensive visualization of power production ensures informed decision-making and enables the timely detection of issues, minimizing downtime and maximizing output.

In-House Data Collection Program Benefits

Implementing in-house data collection programs offers a multitude of benefits:

• Flexibility: Eliminate scheduling constraints and conduct inspections at your convenience.

• Speed: Enable rapid and on-demand inspections, leading to swift remediation.

• Risk Mitigation: Address severe weather or unforeseen issues immediately with re-flights.

• Safety: Utilize drones for inspecting hazardous areas, ensuring workforce safety.

• Better Analytics: Enhance assessment depth and optimize power production.

• Labor Savings: Reduce cost of data capture with in-house teams

The advantages of in-house data collection programs go beyond cost savings. Solar businesses are also empowered with greater control, enhanced efficiency, and superior data-driven decision-making capabilities.

For example, BayWa r.e.’s in-house drone pilots enables them to efficiently gather data that fuels their performance engineers and the control center with deep actionable insights through the Raptor Maps platform.

Marquis Matthews, VP of Operations at Energy Support Services, and Nick Pegnato, Manager, Performance Engineering at BayWa r.e., discussed the advantages of in-house drone programs during a panel at RaptorCon ’24 earlier this year, as seen in the video excerpt above. Watch the full panel discussion here.

Furthermore, when field technicians learn to operate drones, it brings about significant efficiencies. Particularly in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, technicians can integrate drone flights into their checklist procedures, uploading data instantly, completing necessary checks, and addressing issues in a single day using the Raptor Maps product Instant Inspections. 

This approach eliminates waiting times for results and prevents backlogs. Consequently, the time to address high-priority thermal anomalies is reduced by an impressive 99%. Companies like Luminace use Instant Inspections not only to improve site performance but also to effectively reduce fire risks.

Stay tuned for our next post on operationalizing in-house drone programs, which will delve deeper into actionable strategies and best practices.