
Automated Roof Analysis for Solar Panel Installation Using Image Processing and Deep Learning
This RoofArea Detection focuses on automating the detection of usable rooftop areas for solar panel installation using deep learning and image processing techniques. By analyzing satellite imagery, the system identifies rooftops, calculates their exact area, detects obstacles such as water tanks and AC units, and determines the roof's orientation to measure the azimuth angle. The goal is to significantly reduce the time and cost involved in manual field inspections while providing accurate and scalable assessments for solar energy deployment.
The Roofarea Detection addresses key challenges such as variations in roof colors, shapes, and the limitations of satellite image resolution, which often make it difficult to distinguish rooftops and identify small obstructions. These challenges are overcome using state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms, such as U-Net or Mask R-CNN, coupled with advanced image processing techniques. This combination enables the precise extraction of usable roof area and direction, contributing to efficient and optimized solar panel installations.
Objectives
- Automate the process of rooftop detection and analysis using satellite imagery.
- Accurately calculate usable roof area while excluding obstacles.
- Determine roof orientation and tilt to optimize solar panel alignment.
- Minimize manual intervention and reduce project assessment time.
Key Features
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Deep Learning-Based Roof DetectionUtilizes state-of-the-art architectures such as U-Net and Mask R-CNN for accurate segmentation of rooftop areas from satellite imagery.
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Obstacle DetectionIdentifies and masks objects like water tanks, AC units, and shadowed areas to refine usable surface estimation.
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Azimuth & Tilt MeasurementComputes roof direction and tilt angle to assess solar irradiance potential and placement efficiency.
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Handling Image ComplexityAddresses challenges like variations in roof color, image resolution, and complex roof geometries using robust preprocessing and post-processing techniques.
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Scalable & AdaptableDesigned to work across diverse geographic regions and building types, supporting utility-scale solar planning.
Technology Stack
- Deep Learning Models:
- CNN Variants (U-Net, Mask R-CNN) for object detection and segmentation
- Custom-trained models for rooftop classification and feature extraction
- Image Processing
- Edge detection, morphological transformations, and segmentation filtering.
- Geospatial analysis using image metadata
- Tools & Libraries:
- OpenCV, TensorFlow / PyTorch, NumPy, Scikit-Image
- Git for version control and collaboration
Business Impact
- 80% Reduction in Site Survey Time
Streamlines initial assessments, allowing faster turnaround for solar project proposals. - Improved Accuracy in Planning
Minimizes installation errors by precisely calculating usable space and orientation. - Lower Cost for Solar Providers
Reduces reliance on manual field teams, lowering operational expenses. - Scalable Solar Feasibility Studies
Enables bulk analysis of rooftops in city-wide or regional solar planning initiatives.
