The Informed Installer https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/category/sponsored-content/the-informed-installer/ Covering the world of solar power technology, development and installation. Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:45:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cropped-solar-power-world-online-32x32.png The Informed Installer https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/category/sponsored-content/the-informed-installer/ 32 32 How Drones Make Install Day Safer And Faster https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/how-drones-make-install-day-safer-and-faster/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/how-drones-make-install-day-safer-and-faster/#respond Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:45:15 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=106142 Key takeaway: Installers can use drones to confirm final design accuracy, site context, and gather information necessary for safety checklists. Adding installation data, such as confirmation of work done, alongside survey and design documents provides the information necessary for future projects and O&M. Drone images collected on install day are also valuable for future marketing…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/how-drones-make-install-day-safer-and-faster/feed/ 0 How This Iowa-Based Solar Contractor Stays Ahead Of The Competition With Technology https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/how-this-iowa-based-solar-contractor-stays-ahead-of-the-competition-with-technology/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/how-this-iowa-based-solar-contractor-stays-ahead-of-the-competition-with-technology/#respond Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:44:30 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=106141 Eagle Point Solar increased safety, accuracy, and revenue with Scanifly Eagle Point Solar (EPS) builds solar arrays for residential, commercial, government, and academic clients across the Midwest. A core value of the company is continual improvement, which means leveling up their processes, including delivering a more precise outcome for clients and a safer environment for…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/how-this-iowa-based-solar-contractor-stays-ahead-of-the-competition-with-technology/feed/ 0 3 Reasons You Need Both Remote + On-Site Data For Installing Solar https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/3-reasons-you-need-both-remote-on-site-data-for-installing-solar/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/3-reasons-you-need-both-remote-on-site-data-for-installing-solar/#respond Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:43:24 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=106140 Key takeaway: Combining remote and on-site data ensures accurate system sizing, production estimates, and hardware costs. Making a preliminary design is beneficial for sales conversations while finalizing your design with on-site data is essential for everything to follow. If you use an all-in-one software like Scanifly, you have the speed of remote layouts and the…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/06/3-reasons-you-need-both-remote-on-site-data-for-installing-solar/feed/ 0 Save A Dime, Lose A Dollar: Why Not Investing In Technology Costs More In The End https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/save-a-dime-lose-a-dollar-why-not-investing-in-technology-costs-more-in-the-end/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/save-a-dime-lose-a-dollar-why-not-investing-in-technology-costs-more-in-the-end/#respond Wed, 15 May 2024 12:10:58 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105815 Key takeaway: New technology in solar, like drones, will pay for itself from your insurance savings and other cost reductions nearly immediately. Once adopted, there are other financial benefits as well, such as increased surveying capacity and eliminating both revisions and install-day adjustments. Even if your current process works today, it may not tomorrow; you…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/save-a-dime-lose-a-dollar-why-not-investing-in-technology-costs-more-in-the-end/feed/ 0 How Surveyors Can Save 2 Hours Per Day With Field Data Uploads https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/how-surveyors-can-save-2-hours-per-day-with-field-data-uploads/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/how-surveyors-can-save-2-hours-per-day-with-field-data-uploads/#respond Wed, 15 May 2024 12:05:53 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105814 Key takeaway: The entire solar process, from sales to commissioning, can be streamlined by making accurate project information more readily available in real-time. One unlock is to upload field data during your drive time. This blog shows you how to do it. Almost all (98%) of Contractors will conduct an on-site survey prior to installation;…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/how-surveyors-can-save-2-hours-per-day-with-field-data-uploads/feed/ 0 Which Data Source Is Best For My Solar Project? https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/which-data-source-is-best-for-my-solar-project/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/which-data-source-is-best-for-my-solar-project/#comments Wed, 15 May 2024 12:00:32 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105812 Key takeaway: Satellite, LiDAR, and aerial imagery make it easy to draft preliminary solar designs for sales conversations; drone imagery confirms measurements and automatically constructs a photogrammetry-based 3D model to create final PV layouts with accuracy for engineering documents and install plans that never have a revision. In solar, getting a quick preliminary proposal to…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/05/which-data-source-is-best-for-my-solar-project/feed/ 1 The Best Drones For Different Solar Use Cases https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/the-best-drones-for-different-solar-use-cases/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/the-best-drones-for-different-solar-use-cases/#respond Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:17:20 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105514 Key takeaway: For Marketers, the DJI Mavic Mini is a top choice. For Surveyors, look at the DJI Air 2S or Autel EVO II V3. For O&M use cases on residential and small commercial systems, consider the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise or Autel EVO II Dual. All of these models were chosen for their balance…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/the-best-drones-for-different-solar-use-cases/feed/ 0 5 Anxieties Surveyors Have About Measuring Roofs Without A Tape https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/5-anxieties-surveyors-have-about-measuring-roofs-without-a-tape/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/5-anxieties-surveyors-have-about-measuring-roofs-without-a-tape/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:16:20 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105513 Despite the fact that 94.7% of solar surveyors are open to a measurement solution that does not require climbing on roofs, the thought of ditching your measuring tape can be anxiety-inducing. If you’re worried about digital measurement solutions—even if you know it’s safer, faster, and equally as accurate—you’re not alone and it’s not weird. At…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/5-anxieties-surveyors-have-about-measuring-roofs-without-a-tape/feed/ 1 Do PV Designs Really Need Square Corners? See What Experts Say. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/do-pv-designs-really-need-square-corners-see-what-experts-say/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/do-pv-designs-really-need-square-corners-see-what-experts-say/#respond Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:15:39 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105512 Takeaway: While rooftops may not be perfectly square, it’s essential to square off your solar panel designs by hand, or using software like Scanifly or AutoCAD, for accurate installation that meet customer expectations. If corners aren’t squared off, imperfections in roof angles can cause visual and practical issues with panels. Roofs are almost never perfectly…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/04/do-pv-designs-really-need-square-corners-see-what-experts-say/feed/ 0 6 Clues for Identifying Trees that Will Cause Shade Over Time https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/6-clues-for-identifying-trees-that-will-cause-shade-over-time/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/6-clues-for-identifying-trees-that-will-cause-shade-over-time/#respond Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:08:19 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105225 TL;DR: Tree shading has massive implications for production analysis of solar arrays. However, how do you know if a young tree will continue growing or if it is a short species? Here are six ways to tell: branch structure, leaf characteristics, canopy size, bark texture, presence of support, and proximity to construction. Is that tree…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/6-clues-for-identifying-trees-that-will-cause-shade-over-time/feed/ 0 What Data Is My Drone Capturing? https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/what-data-is-my-drone-capturing/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/what-data-is-my-drone-capturing/#respond Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:07:57 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105224 TL;DR: Drones can capture all the data necessary for a highly accurate solar survey and design. They also collect data that are essential for niche commercial use cases and provide data on the drone itself, making repairs or upgrades easier. Drone imagery is more accurate and real-time than static satellite and aerial imagery, or LiDAR…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/what-data-is-my-drone-capturing/feed/ 0 Top 5 Obstructions You Can’t See with Satellite Imagery (but Can with Drones) https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/top-5-obstructions-you-cant-see-with-satellite-imagery-but-can-with-drones/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/top-5-obstructions-you-cant-see-with-satellite-imagery-but-can-with-drones/#respond Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:07:33 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105223 TL;DR: While it might be tempting to use satellite imagery to finalize your PV layout because it appears like a faster route, missing little obstructions results in more truck rolls, redesigns, and overall time to complete the project. Too many solar contractors rely solely on satellite imagery for final designs, despite 91% of surveyors acknowledging…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/top-5-obstructions-you-cant-see-with-satellite-imagery-but-can-with-drones/feed/ 0 3 Reasons Why Winter is the Best Time to Run an O&M Program https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/3-reasons-why-winter-is-the-best-time-to-run-an-om-program/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/3-reasons-why-winter-is-the-best-time-to-run-an-om-program/#respond Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:06:55 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=105215 TL;DR: A key challenge of an operations and maintenance (O&M) program is managing talent resources; operating an O&M program in the winter helps prevent emergencies during the high season and helps smooth out talent utilization throughout the year. The rapid growth and continued consumer demand for solar will lead to increased opportunities for O&M, as…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/03/3-reasons-why-winter-is-the-best-time-to-run-an-om-program/feed/ 0 When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Drone? https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/when-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-drone/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/when-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-drone/#respond Fri, 02 Feb 2024 22:51:09 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=104854 Key takeaway: Drone technology is rapidly evolving and certain components break down over time. If you’re noticing multiple hardware and/or software issues (eg sensors), it’s likely time for an upgrade. If you don’t upgrade when you should, you risk bringing inaccuracies into your work that could flow downstream and cause issues in design, procurement, and…

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]]> https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/when-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-drone/feed/ 0 How Solar Contractors Can Reduce Insurance Premiums While Improving Safety https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/how-solar-contractors-can-reduce-insurance-premiums-while-improving-safety/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/02/how-solar-contractors-can-reduce-insurance-premiums-while-improving-safety/#comments Fri, 02 Feb 2024 22:50:45 +0000 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/?p=104853 Key takeaway: Keeping Surveyors off the roof and using drones instead allows Contractors to reclassify them as lower-risk employees, thus reducing insurance premiums and workers’ compensation payments. In most cases, the savings from insurance alone will more than pay for launching a drone program. Running a solar contracting business at scale requires a lot of…

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