Application of laser scanning for automated efficiency assessment of solar panels: a case study in Uzbekistan

This article presents an approach for automated assessment of the efficiency of pre-installed solar panel arrays. It is based on point clouds of large solar panel arrays distributed across space, with various orientations relative to the sun. As a typical example, without limiting the scope of application, a terrestrial laser scanner was used. Multiple buildings in a city block were laser-scanned to obtain the locations and orientations of the arrays. To demonstrate the developed approach, only one solar system on a building was considered in this study. The approach allows evaluating deficiencies in power production efficiency and comparing them with cost-effective modifications. The cost-benefit analysis can be performed based on this assessment. For future applications, the point clouds can be collected by other means, such as drones (for example).