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The SLF analysis institute just recently accomplished a survey on the Bernina Cross commissioned by a PV system design firm that wishes to construct a photovoltaic park there. Measuring snow with drones makes it possible to establish probably the most appropriate terrain, and only a few meters to the left or right could make a distinction.
The SLF is a world-renowned Swiss analysis institute that conducts solution-oriented analysis on pure hazards, mountain ecosystems, and snow and ice. It just recently carried out an investigation on the Bernina Cross on behalf of a PV system design firm that wishes to construct a photovoltaic park there.
Analyzing the state of the terrain is essential, and SLF did this by using a drone that measured the depth of the snow. “In the event you set up a photovoltaic system in a spot where there may be 7 meters of snow within the winter, it can definitely break within the spring,” mentioned Yves Bühler, from the SLF’s Alpine Distant Sensing Analysis Group.
SLF specialists underlined that “a couple of meters to the left or proper usually makes the distinction between appropriate and unsuitable terrain,” which is why you will need to fly the drone to acquire scientific information.
“We use drone cameras to measure the spatial distribution of snow depths,” Bühler added. “In the event you do that after a snowfall with completely different wind instructions, you may estimate which places can be appropriate by way of snow. That is notably useful in case you can measure each earlier than and after the development of the services.”
The outcomes of the aerial survey are handed on to the planners to arrange knowledgeable studies to be able to set up whether or not particular measures are mandatory, defined Stefan Margreth, head of the SLF’s protecting measures analysis group. “Previously, we solely had tough data from maps displaying the common snow depth throughout the entire of Switzerland, maybe there was a measuring station close by, which gave us a thought of the scenario at the bottom, but not the main points.” However, even a relatively small melancholy could cause giant, native snow depths. The survey flights subsequently present essential data.
“It’s important to alter the bottom clearance of the PV modules to the native snow depth,” Margreth famous. If the substructure is simply too low, the modules will disappear underneath a white blanket, and the photovoltaic park is not going to produce any electrical energy. Snowstorms may also trigger harm.
On an industrial construction, a photovoltaic set up will increase the snow load by as much as 25%; on the open space, there may be more likely to be round 20% extra snow,” Margreth added. A top of three meters then turns into 3.5 to 4 meters.
“It is extremely essential that the snow depths are additionally monitored after the development of a system to be able to have a greater foundation for additional photovoltaic parks and repairs,” Margreth identified.
