How to Measure a Roof With a Drone [Updated April 2023]
Roofing is a dangerous industry. Historically, that danger started during the inspection process for estimators before contracts were even signed. An estimator would need to: Remove the ladder from their truck Equip safety equipment depending on the pitch of the roof Place the ladder and climb the roof Meticulously take measurements of every facet, often […]
Why Every Roofing Company Should Install Solar Panels [Updated November 2023]
Are you a roofer who has thought about installing solar? Roofs are your business. You know everything there is to know about roofs—construction, repair, permits, materials, safety, and about a million other things. If it has to do with a roof, you’re the expert. But what about roof-mounted solar panels? They’re becoming a common fixture on […]
AI Deep Learning: Revolutionizing Damage Detection
Introduction Deep learning, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), is predicated on the concept of emulating the layered structure and function of the human brain to interpret various forms of data. This approach allows machines to identify intricate patterns within images, text, sound, and more, facilitating nuanced insights and reliable predictions. Deep Learning is, more […]
All Aboard the Solarcoaster: Navigating Current Challenges & Opportunities
The solar industry has weathered its fair share of trials and tribulations over the years, earning it the apt nickname of the “solarcoaster.” From expiring tax credits to supply chain challenges and even the curveball of a global pandemic, this industry has seen it all. In this article, there are three pivotal factors at play, […]
The Complete Guide to Solar Site Surveys
Solar site surveys are an essential part of the solar installation process. They allow solar installers to assess a property’s suitability for solar panel installation and design a system that meets the homeowner’s needs and budget. In this blog post, we will discuss the following topics: What is a solar site survey? When should you […]
5 Common Mistakes Solar Installers Make
The solar energy industry is blowing up. More and more people are turning to solar energy to reduce their carbon footprint and save money in the long run. As a result, solar installers are popping up everywhere and offering their services to homeowners and business owners. While the first solar building was created in 1973, […]
IMGING Updates Now Available
Today we are excited to announce the first updates to IMGING in 2023. New features and improvements were introduced into the IMGING web app. These updates include: Historical Weather Data Intelligent Damage Detection Geometry Alignment in DXF Files Recently Viewed Jobs Current customers were emailed release notes today. The release notes explain and expand on […]
How Installers Can Beat Net Metering 3.0 in California
In recent years, renewable energy has become an increasingly popular option for individuals and businesses. With net metering changes in California coming up, it’s important solar installers to understand the impact that these changes will have on renewable energy adoption and solar business growth. Let’s take a closer look. Why Net Metering Matters Net metering […]
Why a Drone Site Survey is Better than Remote Imagery for Solar PV Array Design
When it comes to solar photovoltaic (PV) array design, there are two main ways to collect the data needed: a site survey or remote imagery. While it may seem like remote imagery would be the easier and more affordable option, there are actually several reasons why a drone site survey is better. Keep reading to […]
Xactimate Integration,Other UpdatesNow Available
The latest update to IMGING is now available to download from the App Store. This update includes a new integration, new features, several updates for improved user experience. Enjoy the 3.9 overview video below for a highlight of the newly-available features. Feedback Wanted To enable the Xactimate integration, contact your account executive. As always, reach out […]
How to Build an Automated Solar Drone Program for Site Surveys
A Guide for Introducing a Drone Program That Will Cut Your Creation Costs As homeowners and commercial businesses lean into a future fueled by renewable energy, solar professionals are embracing new survey technologies that automated manual processes to keep up with demand, clear backlogs, and ride the wave of momentum. Last fall, the U.S. installed […]
Why Baker Electric Chose IMGING for Site Surveys
Baker Electric Home Energy, part of the Baker Electric family, has supplied Southern California with energy solutions for 84 years. As new technologies began available, they sought out the leading provider for drone-based solar site survey software.
How Drone-Based Solar Analysis Tools Are Accelerating Solar Installs
Get ready. The U.S. solar boom is only just beginning. In fact, the number of homes with solar energy is expected to triple by 2030. And that’s only moving the needle from 4% of American homes to 12%. With the geopolitical crisis in Eastern Europe affecting energy prices, solar adoption may accelerate even faster. To […]
4 Features to Demand From a Drone Solar Site Survey Solution [Updated January, 2022]
Solar drone inspections can help dealers save money and increase efficiency. But how do you know what to look for in a drone platform? Here are four key features—from penetrations to horizon reports —that solar companies should demand from a drone platform. Automation and Ease of Use Traditional site surveys have long been very manual […]
Bright Planet Solar Doubles Site Survey Efficiency
Bright Planet Solar is a Massachusetts-based team of solar designers and installers led by CEO, Mikey Heinz. Bright Planet has grown dramatically since …
How to Clear Solar Installation BacklogsWith Drones
With the market for residential solar heating up this year, many solar installers are facing major project backlogs that make it difficult to meet growing demand. Growing backlogs is common at this time of year. For example, at the end of 2020, SunPower reported nearly 50,000 backlogs across its dealer network, its highest ever volume. […]
How Drone Solutions Are Powering the Future of Solar Energy [Updated August, 2021]
Drones and solar energy. Two powerhouse innovations that have individually had great impacts on industry and societal advancement, but together, have taken the world by storm. Drones have quickly become key players in the rise of renewable energy, dominating the solar sector by improving efficiency and reducing creation costs. They are being utilized in many ways across the solar space, […]
How to Calculate the Value of Adopting Drones for Solar Site Surveys
Are you a site surveyor or manager considering adopting drone technology for site surveys? If so, this article is for you. The number one reason organizations adopt new technologies is to increase efficiency and it is no different for solar installers. Drone software for solar designers and surveyors can skyrocket your team’s productivity. We’ll look […]
How a Drone Solar Site Survey Works [Updated June, 2021]
The solar industry is one of the fastest moving and most competitive markets around. Total installed U.S. PV capacity is expected to more than double over the next five years, and by 2023, over 14 GW of PV capacity will be installed annually. Solar companies need to stay on their toes and keep an eye out for […]
Automating Solar Survey & Design Operations For Excellence
It’s more important than ever to nail your operations as an installer. In this webinar, we share the stories of how leading installers set records during the pandemic while increasing margins, and how they are continually improving operations through technology. Below you will find two videos: A segment featuring Darryl H., Engineering Manager at Baker […]
IMGING’s Approach To Shading Analysis
Accurate shading analysis is crucial to designing and financing solar arrays. Because IMGING uses drones for solar shading analysis, you can be sure you’re receiving the most accurate, real-time data available, all while simultaneously performing a site survey. IMGING’s shading tool includes Solar Access, Tilt and Orientation Factor (TOF), and Total Solar Resource Fraction (TSRF) numbers. It factors in how objects on, or near a roof obstruct direct irradiance to a mounting plane and accumulates the irradiance in kilowatt […]
5 Signs That You Need to Invest in Drone Tech for Solar Site Surveys
The world of site surveys is changing fast due in large part to nearly one million registered drones. On top of the heightened drone use, the popularity of solar power is growing just as fast. Since 2008, U.S. solar installations have exponentially from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) to an estimated 89 GW at the end of […]
Preflight Planning Tips for Better Drone Inspections
Using an automated drone solution like IMGING decreases the time it takes to perform roof inspections, and with better flight planning, you can save even more time. Plan Your Flight in IMGING Begin by creating a new job in IMGING. This is where you will map the flight, schedule the job, and assign the job […]
The Biggest Challenges Facing Solar Executives and How to Solve Them
According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight Report®—a quarterly report published by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)® and Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables— the solar industry is slated for 25% growth this year. 2019 marked the largest Q1 ever recorded, with 1.6 GWdc of utility-scale solar installs accounting for 61% of capacity additions in the U.S. It is forecasted that […]
Solar Site Surveys With A Drone – How Do They Work?
When time is money, minutes make a big difference in profitability and overall success. Any extra time spent on one solar project means less time spent on new sales and installs. Solar companies hoping to cut creation costs and get ahead in a competitive industry simply can’t afford bottlenecks. Drones, along with an automated solution such as IMGING are the answer […]
IMGING 2.4 Adds Solar Horizon Scan and Scan Size UI
IMGING 2.4 has a huge enhancement for our solar customers, but there’s a little something for all of our users. Here’s what’s in our latest release: Scan Sizes For Multifamily and Commercial Inspections To support customers focused on large, commercial structures, we updated the user interface in the IMGING app to help users better understand […]
From Surveys to Horizon Reports: 5 Reasons Why Solar Companies Need A Drone Platform
For any business in the fast-growing solar industry, small improvements can make a world of difference. So for solar providers, a drone platform can be the distinction between OK and the best. Solar drone inspections can help providers make the leap from ineffectual to productive, from risky to refined. But how do they do it? […]
5 Ways Drone Platforms Reduce Creation Costs for Solar
Many solar companies are turning to drone platforms to help them improve efficiency and reduce their creation costs, but how exactly do solutions like IMGING make an impact on costs for solar companies? There are five key ways a drone site survey can help. More Efficient Site Surveys Site surveys are an essential but time-consuming […]
Azimuth and DXF Flattening: IMGING Has New Solar Features
We’re super excited to bring some new solar-focused features to the IMGING app. Mainly, we’re making it even easier for solar companies to work with the 3D models we automatically generate after a drone flight. Here’s the skinny: .DXF File Flattening As you probably know, IMGING allows designers to export 3D models of a structure […]
Soar Past Your Solar Competitors with Drone Tech
In today’s world, every industry is competitive. Companies are vying for customers, and buyers have the power to take their business wherever they want. Competitive pressures like these are particularly strong in growing industries like solar. By 2020, the solar industry is projected to install nearly 100 GW of solar annually, which would be enough […]
Why You Should Use Drones for Solar Site Surveys
The solar industry is booming, and based on discussions we’ve had with solar pros, the tough thing right now isn’t necessarily making more sales, it’s handling everything that needs to happen after a homeowner decides to invest. Site surveys, modeling, planning, and installs are a bottleneck for many solar providers, and they’re on the hunt […]
