FAQ
Get answers to your frequently asked questions.
Our Company
Who is Raptor Maps?
Raptor Maps is led by MIT engineers Nikhil Vadhavkar and Edward Obropta. The company was founded in 2015. Read more about the founders here.
What does Raptor Maps do?
We provide advanced analytics, insights and productivity tools for the entire solar lifecycle through our software platform Raptor Solar. We provide a digital twin of solar sites, aerial thermal inspections, data normalization, serial number mapping, warranty claim features, equipment records, mobile tools and more — all powered by our industry-leading data model. Solar stakeholders can standardize and compare data across installations, increase performance, reduce risk and lift ROI.
Where are you located?
Raptor Maps is headquartered at Greentown Labs’ Global Center for Cleantech Innovation in the Greater Boston area.
Who can use Raptor Maps?
Raptor Maps services all stakeholders in the utility and commercial and industrial solar industry. This includes asset owners, managers, O&Ms, EPCs, OEMs, and DSPs are all able to utilize our software solution.
Do you provide drone services?
Yes, through our global network of drone service provider partners, we’re able to have a local and trusted drone pilot to any site location within two weeks. All drone operations are contracted, managed, and controlled by Raptor Maps. Learn more about our Inspection Data Capture Services.
How does the software work?
Our software analyzes aerial imagery to identify anomalies causing power production loss. Software tools supported by artificial-intelligence increase power production, reduce risks and lower operation costs by tracking the efficiency of a PV plant over time.
Raptor Solar
What is Raptor Solar?
Raptor Solar is the industry-leading data and performance software platform for the solar industry, spanning the project planning, construction execution, and operation lifecycle. Raptor Solar allows for the digitization of solar assets, offering data analytics, inspection insights, and optimization across operations.
How does the software work?
Raptor Solar provides users with a digital twin of solar assets, allowing for the continual analysis of equipment health and power output. The software analyzes aerial imagery to identify anomalies causing power production loss. In addition, Raptor Solar boasts a suite of exclusive productivity tools, such as the ability to submit warranty claims within the platform.
What are the features of Raptor Solar?
Raptor Solar has a suite of user-focused features that improve efficiency, from unlimited site digitization and reports, barcode scanning, to integration with SCADA and DAS platforms and year-over-year analysis. For a full list of the features, visit the Raptor Solar page.
How does the software pricing work?
Raptor Solar bundles all offerings within its subscription price, so no services are charged a la carte. Please contact us for pricing specific to your portfolio.
Can I scan PV module serial numbers with Raptor Solar?
Raptor Solar allows users to scan PV module barcodes, validate serial numbers against OEM master lists and store data, geo-tagged directly into the as-built. Users can verify supply chains for safe harboring and tax incentive eligibility by tracking serial numbers throughout their lifecycle. Read more about a use case here.
PV Inspections
What are PV Inspections?
Raptor Maps’ full-service post-processing, analytics, and reporting solution for thermal and RGB (color) data created from PV system inspections. We have been used for site inspections, analytics, and reports on PV systems as small as 200kw and sites as large as 300+MW. You can learn more about our product here.
How long does an inspection take?
The length of time for an inspection depends on the size of the site. Drones are the quickest and most efficient way to inspect a solar PV system; drones accomplish what would take manual IV curve testing 1 day in 1 hour. In our experience, a drone inspection can cover anywhere between 10-50MW in a single day.
How accurate are the findings?
Thermal cameras and drones allow our software to accurately identify anomalies. The software findings are quality checked by a trained team to ensure that module-level anomalies are tagged with 95% accuracy, and string-level anomalies are tagged with 99% accuracy.
How does pricing work?
The price of our service depends on the type of inspection, the systems’ size, and number of systems being inspected. Please contact us to provide a few basic details about your project so we can provide a quote.
What are the data capture requirements?
Raptor Maps provides free to use flight guidelines and data capture requirements, visit our Knowledge Hub to learn more, or contact us with any questions.
How long does it take to receive a report?
Reports will be delivered within 7-10 days once Raptor Maps receives all data and site details.
Drone Service Providers
Can I fly for Raptor Maps?
Qualified vendors can fly for Raptor Maps. Please go to https://raptormaps.com/partner/ and contact us to determine if you qualify.
Can I be an exclusive partner?
Raptor Maps does not have any exclusive partners for drone services.
How do I start using Raptor Maps?
If you already have a Raptor Maps account and have placed orders, please visit our Knowledge Hub for software guidance. If you do not have an account or ongoing orders, please contact sales@raptormaps.com. Once your account has been created you can order an inspection with our Inspection Data Capture Services or collect your own data and order through our Raptor App online platform.
How does the pricing work?
Price varies by features, site size, and portfolio size. Please contact sales@raptormaps.com for more information.
Does my equipment work with your software?
Please visit our Knowledge Hub for equipment guidance.
Can I resell for Raptor Maps?
Raptor Maps fully supports the post-processing of aerial data collected by drone service providers (DSPs). While DSPs are not authorized resellers of Raptor Maps’ products, they may however work with Raptor Maps to help meet a particular customer’s project goals. DSPs will often work with our sales team to generate specific proposals and quotes to maximize success from start to finish.
What is the nature of the relationship between drone service providers, end-users, and Raptor Maps?
Raptor Maps has built hundreds of strategic relationships across the globe with DSPs. We aim to support the post-processing needs of our DSP customers and by extension their customers/end-users. Some DSPs integrate with our APIs to speed up data transfer and processing. Raptor Maps is involved in proposal generation, data analysis, report generation, project management, and customer service. A Raptor Maps Account Executive can provide the DSP and/or end customer with a live product demonstration.
Can we license the software?
The analysis is completed within the Raptor Maps cloud platform to ensure proper quality control procedures and is not available for licensing.