Above and HEROTECH8 form a global partnership to bring drone-in-a-box technology to the solar industry

 

Above and HEROTECH8 today announced a new partnership that will see the two companies work together to identify new innovative and smart solutions for the solar industry.

Essex, United Kingdom, 10 February 2021 (Solar Business Hub) —Above, the leading solar aerial inspection and data analytics company and HEROTECH8, specialists in the development and implementation of drone-in-a-box solutions will combine forces to develop applications for utility-scale solar plants.

Above’s mission is to accelerate the renewable energy transition through innovation. Key to this is to reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) in the solar industry through the adoption of technology. Solar PV systems require significant construction and maintenance oversight to perform optimally, including regular technical inspections and security provision. Whilst capital expenditure per MW has reduced significantly, operational expenditure remains high.

HEROTECH8’s drone-in-a-box technology offers many opportunities to streamline and augment existing construction and operational practices, improving LCOE for asset owners. Missions may be in response to on-site security sensors or monitoring system alarms. Alternatively, construction managers or maintenance managers will commission drone data collection remotely for ad hoc condition monitoring or data collection.

Above is the solar industry’s leading drone inspection and data analysis company, with solutions spanning the entire solar plant lifecycle.

Will Hitchcock, CEO and founder of Above, said:

“We are convinced that this will be a key component on utility-scale solar sites in the coming years, as ubiquitous as the SCADA system. We already gather plant data using piloted drones allowing us to leverage our existing software platform to incorporate autonomous drone mission data. We will pool our expertise to build compelling solutions in collaboration with our customers.”

HEROTECH8, a UK-based manufacturer of connected and automated drone-in-a-box technology already used for security and industrial monitoring activities.

Edward, CEO of HEROTECH8, said:

“These transformative, collaborative efforts between Above and HEROTECH8 will be the foundation for realising the power of remote drone solutions for solar. We look forward to continuing to engage with the solar industry through this partnership and to contributing to the development of new smart solutions.”

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About Above
In 2016 Above pioneered the use of aerial inspection techniques in utility-scale solar and catalysed an industry. It then went on to introduce the concept of the digital twin to address the challenges of managing larger solar assets and portfolios. Above is now at the forefront of a digital revolution within the rapidly growing solar industry.
www.abovesurveying.com

About HEROTECH8
HEROTECH8 is a UK-based robotics company developing automated drone station (ADS) technology, also known as “drone-in-a-box” to enable continuous drone operations without the need for on-site pilots. Our products are deployed and active across three continents to support security teams and infrastructure asset managers to improve safety, address workflow inefficiencies and reduce costs.
www.herotech8.com

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Press release by Above. Photo credit: © Above