Introduction
Our goal is to process your data as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure customer delight. We invest a significant amount of effort to process the data successfully the first time.
However, capturing these thousands of images might be challenging. Therefore, we created this article, taking into account the best practices that will save you a lot of time and frustration during the data acquisition. First we will share the min requirements for the flight plan.
Flight plan
For the Solar Site As-Built data product we require only visual (RGB). A drone pilot will use an unmanned aerial system (a drone with a camera) to capture the data on site.
Visual (RGB) Data Requirements
GSD: >2.5 cm per pixel. Usually the limitation will be the maximum flight height, depending on the legislation in the country.
Front-Overlap: 75% .
Side Overlap: 75%.
Flight Path: At least 2 flight lines should be outside the boundaries of the operation in all directions.
Gimbal Orientation: Nadir (-90 deg). Capture additional oblique photos for improved quality in case of complex terrains/buildings.
Image Format: JPEG - Each image should contain the following metadata: GPS location, relative altitude and timestamp.
Image Quality: in focus, free from motion blur and with minimal glare.
At least 20 photos need to be uploaded.
Blocks
To ensure weather conditions are kept homogeneous across the entire solar inspection, sites larger than 100 ha should always be divided into separate blocks.
To ensure a margin of error lower than 10% for the Ground Sample Distance [in cm/pixel], you need to take off from the highest point within the block.
Blocks should be flown as separate flights from each other but as much as possible one block should contain one flight. If you need to switch batteries, there should be minimum downtime for the flights in the same block.
The Sitemark platform does not let you cut sites into blocks. Reach out to our support team to let them know, and they will cut the site into blocks on your behalf.
Trackers
Special Considerations for Single-Axis Trackers
Trackers should be as horizontal as possible, up to a maximum 50-degree tilt. Avoid flying in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low at the horizon to minimize inter-row glare.
Special Considerations for Double-Axis Trackers
Trackers should be as horizontal as possible, up to a maximum 50-degree tilt. The entire tracker should be visible on at least one photo. Otherwise, increase the altitude.
High Accuracy
If the images are captured with high accuracy, using either Ground Control Points (GCPs) or RTK, the As-Built will also achieve high accuracy.
For more information on how to use Ground Control, please refer to the following article: How to Use Ground Control.