SolarAI: Automated Remote Solar Designs

SolarAI is our automated solar design engine. With a single click, SolarAI uses computer-vision AI and satellite imagery to read the property and produce a complete preliminary design in seconds without any manual actions needed. The design includes the roof segments, detected obstructions and keepouts, a shading and production analysis, and an array with viewsheds.

Before you start

A few things to know so you know what to expect:

• This is a paid feature, if you are interested in adding SolarAI to your Scanifly contract, please reach out to us at hello@scanifly.com

• Remote designs only. It does not run on on-site drone designs.

• SolarAI requires Google3D medium or better quality data to run . If suitable imagery isn't available for a property, a design may not be generated.

• Your SolarAI design may need some adjustment once its complete. Since this is an automated process that runs on remote data you should always double check your outputs to see if you need to adjust the layout, roof surfaces or keepouts manually .

   

Generating a SolarAI design

PRO design mode

1. Create a new project, or enter an existing remote design project.

2. Once in the empty remote design space, click the SolarAI button and wait for the loading bar to hit 100% at which point the segments, keepouts, and modules with viewsheds will populate.
3. Make any necessary adjustments, as well as removing extra modules.

SIMPLE design mode

1. Load up a blank design for a project, and SolarAI will automatically run.

What SolarAI does

Behind the scenes, SolarAI runs a multi-step pipeline that turns an address into a usable design:

1. Automatic roof segmentation

   • Computer vision detects each roof face (segment) from overhead imagery, gathering each roof segment's height, tilt, and orientation.
   • Non-viable areas such as carports and driveways are recognized and excluded so panels aren't placed where they don't belong.
2. Automatic obstruction (keepout) detection
   • Detects roof obstructions; vents, chimneys, and similar get keepouts created around them.
   • It also recognizes whether solar panels already exist on the roof.

3. Automatic module placement

   • Max fills all roofs. (confirm if min asa/tsrf settings apply)

4. Production estimate and design output

   • Returns a design just like if you were to manually design or order a design, the roof surfaces, modules, keepouts and viewsheds are all automatically placed. 

Frequently asked questions

Does SolarAI work for on-site (drone) designs?

• No. SolarAI is built for remote imagery-based designs. On-site drone scans use Scanifly's standard 3D design workflow.

Why didn't a design generate for my address?

• SolarAI depends on Google3D medium or better quality data for the property. If that data isn't available for a given address, SolarAI may not be able to produce a design. Double-check the  location, and contact support if you believe there is an issue.

Can I change the design after SolarAI creates it?

• Yes. SolarAI gives you a preliminary design as a starting point. You can adjust the panel layout, keepouts, and system sizing in Scanifly 3D before finalizing.