Enhancing Solar Site Assessment with 3D Point Cloud Scanning

Case Study Details

Enhancing Solar Site Assessment with 3D Point Cloud Scanning

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method that uses laser light to measure distances with high precision, creating accurate 3D representations of environments.

How It Works

Emits rapid LASER pulses toward a surface
Measures time taken for each pulse to return (Time of Flight)
Calculates precise distance and maps millions of data points
Outputs a detailed 3D Point Cloud Data (PCD) of the scanned area

Extracting Accurate Roof Details in Minutes: A Case Study

Step 1: Scanning

Site Walkthrough with Handheld LiDAR Scanner

Perform a walkthrough of the site using a handheld LiDAR scanner
The device captures millions of data points per second, enriched with RGB imagery, to create a high-fidelity digital representation of the environment

Step 2: Data Register

Register Data to the Cloud & Cleaning

Seamlessly upload the captured point cloud data to a centralized cloud platform
Use specialized software to clean noise, align scans, and geo-reference the data to the site’s coordinates

Step 3: Modelling

Generate 2D and 3D Site Models with Obstruction Mapping

Convert the processed LiDAR data into precise 3D/2D models of the site, including roof geometry, elevation profiles, and obstructions such as HVAC units, skylights, and shading elements
These models serve as the foundation for solar design and system layout

Best-Fit Scanners for Different Roof Sizes

Small Roofs (~5,000 ft²): Matterport Pro3, GeoSLAM ZEB
Medium to Large (~20,000–50,000 ft²): FARO Focus, GeoSLAM ZEB
Very Large (~100,000 ft²): FARO Focus for max accuracy, GeoSLAM for speed

Each scanner balances cost, speed, and precision, making it easy to scale across project types.

Applications Across the Solar Lifecycle

Site Assessment: Virtual walkthroughs enable remote collaboration and planning.
Design & Optimization: Accurate shading and irradiance analysis.
As-Built & QA: Robust documentation before and after installation.

Bottom Line: Better Data. Smarter Design. Faster Turnarounds.

rProcess is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge scanning with solar design. With our Scan-to-CAD approach, we’re not just capturing data—we’re accelerating solar deployment, improving design accuracy, and enabling smarter decisions from day one.