The SLF analysis institute has simply accomplished a survey of the Bernina Pass commissioned by a PV system design firm that desires to construct a photo voltaic park there. Measuring snow with drones makes it doable to determine probably the most appropriate terrain and just some meters to the left or proper could make a distinction.
From pv journal Italy
SLF is a famend Swiss analysis institute that conducts solution-oriented analysis on pure hazards, mountain ecosystems, and snow and ice. It just lately carried out an investigation within the Bernina Pass for a PV system design firm that desires to construct a photo voltaic park there.
Checking the situation of the bottom is essential and SLF does this through the use of a drone that measures the depth of the snow. “If you put in a photovoltaic system in a spot the place there’s 7 meters of snow within the winter, it’ll actually break within the spring,” mentioned Yves Bühler, from the Alpine Remote Sensing analysis group on the SLF.
SLF consultants emphasize that “just a few meters to the left or proper can typically make the distinction between appropriate and unsuitable terrain,” so you will need to fly the drone to acquire scientific knowledge.
“We use drone cameras to measure the spatial distribution of snow depth,” Bühler added. “If you do that after snowfall with totally different wind instructions, you’ll be able to higher estimate which areas are appropriate by way of snow. This will assist particularly if you happen to can measure earlier than and after the development of amenities.”
The outcomes of the aerial survey are transmitted on to planners to organize knowledgeable stories to ascertain whether or not particular measures are wanted, defined Stefan Margreth, head of the analysis group on protecting measures. in SLF. “In the previous, we had unhealthy data from maps exhibiting the common snow depth throughout Switzerland, possibly there was a measuring station close by, which gave us an concept of the bottom situations, however not the main points.” In apply, nonetheless, even a small despair could cause massive, localized snow depths. So survey flights present vital data.
“You have to regulate the bottom clearance of the PV modules to the native snow depth,” says Margreth. If the substructure is just too low, the modules will disappear below a white blanket and the photo voltaic park won’t produce any electrical energy. Snow strain also can trigger harm.
In an industrial constructing, the photo voltaic set up will increase the snow load by as much as 25%; within the open space, there’ll most likely be about 20% extra snow,” Margreth added. The peak of three meters then turns into 3.5 to 4 meters.
“It is essential that the snow depths are additionally monitored after the development of a system in an effort to have a greater foundation for added photo voltaic parks and repairs,” Margreth identified.
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