Surveying for solar and wind sites
Topography, setting out and as-built surveys for solar and wind projects, from site selection to commissioning.
The yield and cost of a solar plant depend heavily on slope and aspect. Panel row layout, grading needs and cable routes cannot be designed properly without an accurate terrain model.
Solar and wind sites are large and rural. Drone photogrammetry maps them quickly; GNSS then sets out pile positions and turbine foundations to the centimetre.
- Terrain model with slope and aspect analysis
- Design base map
- Grading (cut-and-fill) volumes
- Panel row, pile and turbine foundation setting out
- Cable route and substation survey, as-built
Feasibility: slope and aspect
Slope and aspect maps derived from the terrain model show which parts of a site suit panel layout. North-facing or overly steep areas are excluded early and the usable area is estimated realistically — most valuable before land is bought or leased.
Design and construction
A base map and DTM of the whole site support design, and grading volumes are computed where slopes exceed what panel rows tolerate. During construction, thousands of pile positions are set out with GNSS/RTK; on wind projects, foundations, hardstands and access roads are set out the same way.
Handover
An orthophoto and as-built survey of the finished plant record the true position of rows, cable trenches and equipment — a reference for maintenance and fault finding throughout operation.
What you receive
| Deliverable | Format | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain model (DTM) | GeoTIFF / LAS | Design and simulation |
| Slope and aspect map | PDF / GeoTIFF | Layout suitability |
| Base map | DWG / NCZ | Design base |
| Setting-out list | XLSX / PDF | Piles and foundations |
| As-built orthophoto | GeoTIFF / ECW | Post-construction record |
Methods we use for this work
Frequently asked questions
What survey does solar feasibility need?
A terrain model of the site and the slope/aspect analysis built from it, which show usable area and grading needs early.
How are thousands of piles set out?
Design coordinates are loaded into the GNSS receiver and each point is marked in turn by RTK, with every session checked on known control.
What do you survey on wind projects?
Foundation and hardstand setting out, access road alignment, excavation volumes and the as-built survey.
Get a quote for your project today
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