Drone data vs. satellite data - what advantages do the technologies offer?

In photovoltaic planning, different types of data are often used to assess the potential and suitability of a site for solar installations. Two common sources are drone imagery and satellite imagery. In this article, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches and discuss which data is more suitable for photovoltaic planning.

Satellite data for photovoltaic planning

Satellite images have been used in photovoltaic planning for many years. One of their greatest advantages is their global availability, as satellite data is available for almost all regions of the world. This data is often provided by government agencies or companies on a regular basis and often free of charge or at low cost.

One disadvantage of satellite images is their limited resolution and accuracy, which varies depending on the region and often shows deviations of 50 cm or more. In addition, satellite images are often not completely vertical, which leads to distortions. This can be seen, for example, in the fact that the facades of buildings are recognizable.

Other disadvantages are the 2D representation of the data, which means that information on the roof pitch is missing, and the fact that the data is often outdated, meaning that new development areas or changes to buildings are not depicted. Smaller and delicate objects such as snow guards, steps or ventilation pipes are often not recognizable due to the low resolution and low contrast.

Evaluation of the options:

Per satellite images

- Cost-effective

- High availability

Contra satellite images

- Low resolution

- 2D data only

- Often outdated data

- Smaller objects not recognizable

- No facade view

Drone data for photovoltaic planning

Drone images have gained in importance in recent years and are increasingly being used for photovoltaic planning. A major advantage of drone images is their high resolution and accuracy, as drones can fly close to the buildings to be inspected and capture detailed images. This data is extremely helpful for planning solar installations.

Another advantage is that drone images provide detailed 3D information. This means that roof pitches, projections and shading objects can be recognized and calculated in detail, for example using PV planning software such as Sunny Design from SMA. Drones also enable exact measurements to be taken in 3D, which allows PV systems to be planned precisely on the computer. Facades can also be precisely measured using drone images and fitted directly with PV modules using software such as PV Sol Pro from Valentin Software.

The disadvantages of drone recordings are their susceptibility to weather conditions, as drones cannot be used in strong winds or rain. In addition, drone images are more expensive than satellite images, which are often free of charge. However, prices for drone hardware and services have fallen in recent years. Good drones are available for as little as €1,000 and analysis costs very little with many providers.

What are the advantages of drone-based photovoltaic planning?

Pro drone footage

- High resolution

- 3D data

- Current data

- Shading analysis possible

- Smaller objects easily recognizable

- Facade measurement possible

Contra drone footage

- Higher costs

- Recordings must be made by yourself or by a drone service

Conclusion:

Both approaches offer advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into account when planning photovoltaics. If accuracy is less important, satellite data is the better choice. However, if you need high resolution and precise data, drone surveys are often preferable. Although drone surveys can be more expensive initially, the time savings of up to one hour per project ultimately lead to cost savings and optimize PV planning.

We will be happy to help you decide on your planning solution. Get in touch with us!

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