Drone2CAD

Drone2CAD (Drone to computer-aided design) is a processing pipeline that efficiently generates precise three-dimensional models using drone images. These models are specifically prepared for the solar engineering application of our customer Solextron for further utilization.

Initial Situation

Currently our customer, Solextron, relies on solar planners who manually create 3D models of buildings from scratch within their 3D-tool. This approach is labor-intensive, time-consuming and error prone.

Project Goal

With the help of drone imaging, we are able to drastically reduce and simplify the process of preparing a 3D model for solar engineering. With different algorithms our Drone2CAD pipeline filters drone data and generates an accurate 3D model of buildings that are specifically optimized for solar engineering purposes. The roofs are automatically converted into vector based geometry that is compatible with Solextron's design tool, and the generated model can be further used for solar planning.

Developed Solution and its benefit

With the completion of the Drone2CAD pipeline, we have successfully realized our vision of seamlessly integrating drone imaging with solar engineering. Through a series of conversion steps, the pipeline generates an output specifically tailored for Solextron's solar engineering requirements. By automating previously labor-intensive processes, our solution significantly enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and enables Solextron to gain a competitive advantage. Moreover, our modular pipeline design empowers our customer to further develop and customize the conversion process to align with their unique needs.

Some key benefits of our solution include:

• Reduce manual labor – Significally reduces manual effort of solar planners
• Faster workflow – Drone2CAD will allow an integration with existing Solextron solutions
• Automated conversion – Automate manual labor by converting drone data to usable 3D models
• Higher accuracy – Drone mapping has higher accuracy and can be used for rooftop mapping
• Faster delivery – Customers will get their solar panels faster because planning takes less time
• Less error prone – Automating the process has the potential to reduce the number of inaccuracies

In the following 3D viewer, you can explore a visualization of an example output generated by our pipeline. This interactive viewer provides controls that can be used as follows: In the following 3D viewer you can see a visualization of an output of our pipeline. It is an interactive viewer and the controls can be used as follows:
Left Mouse Button + Drag: Move the camera around the center position
Right Mouse Button + Drag: Move the camera center position
Scroll: Zoom in and out

Testimonial
«The use of drones to improve the collection of site data for solar plant installations is becoming more and more widespread. However, currently, the 3D drawings made by proprietary software from drone photogrammetry are very cost-intensive, and the incompatible end formats are more suited for visualization. By integrating into solar design tools of Solextron, the Drone2CAD pipeline drastically reduces the cost of accurate 3D modeling by using drone pictures and allows successive steps to optimize and design solar plant installations. These innovations will help Solextron have a one-of-a-kind capability to allow step changes in efficiency for solar installers to provide high-quality, cost-effective solar plants.»
Dr. Vipluv Aga, CEO and Co-founder of Solextron

Key terms

• Programming languagesPython, Javascript
• Testing frameworkpytest
• In-memory databaseRedis
• Python libraryOpen3D
• Python libraryShapely
• Python libraryNumPy



Our solution consists of a processing pipeline, which means that there is no need for either a front or backend. However, during our process we have tested out different approaches, which utilized the following key terms:

• Frontend LibraryReact
• Styling LibraryVueJS
• UI/UX ToolFigma
• Backend FrameworkFlask

Customer

https://design.solextron.com/

Dr. Vipluv Aga
CEO and Co-founder of Solextron

Solextron AG
Alte Spinnerei 9
5210 Windisch
Switzerland

About Solextron:
Solextron is an intelligent platform and design tool that allows solar installers to simplify solar and energy storage installation. With their online tool, solar planers can draw a 3D model in a viewer which then can be used as a basis for placing the solar panels. Further different data can be calculated, like sun exposure and how much energy will be saved.

Team