Rising energy prices are worrying many families and businesses, but for those who have installed solar panels, the pill tastes just a little less bitter. It can therefore be expected that the growth of solar installations will continue to increase. A recent overview of all the installations throughout the Netherlands is now available in Belmap.

The most recent aerial images for the Netherlands from 2020 and 2021 formed the basis for the identification of all the solar installations. These images have a greatly improved resolution of 7.5cm compared to older images, which greatly improves detection results.

Computer vision is here to help

GIM's data scientists developed a computer vision model that recognises and maps out solar installations quickly and reliably. GIM integrated this data into Belmap, its digital twin of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Thanks to the nationwide availability and very high resolution of the orthophotos, a high-quality and up-to-date overview can be offered for the entire Dutch territory.

Applications

This new dataset has many applications in different sectors. Renewable energy presents grid operators with significant challenges in terms of grid capacity. With this information, they can make better decisions about the future sizing of their network.

Energy suppliers and renewable energy installers will have a tool for prospecting for new potential customers. Companies operating in related fields, such as home batteries, charging stations and solar system maintenance, can also use this data to support their continued growth.

In addition, this new source of information is an important asset for insurers for accurately assessing the risk when underwriting new policies or the cumulative risk of their existing portfolio.

Would you like more information about Belmap, or to get started with a data sample? Please contact us with no obligation.