Implementing AI automatic analysis tool for solar module inspection by drone

SoftBank Technology Corp. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Chikaichi Atada; hereinafter referred to as SBT) is a subsidiary of Energy Solutions Corporation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hisao Morikami; hereinafter referred to as ESI); M-SOLUTIONS, Inc. (hereafter referred to as ESI); Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo President and CEO: Mitsuhiro Sato In collaboration with M-SOL, we have developed an automatic infrared image (IR) analysis tool using artificial intelligence (AI) for infrared inspection of solar power plants using drones. It will be announced.

Since ESI launched its "Drone Eye" service in September 2016, we have conducted infrared inspections of solar power plants in 100 locations with capacities of over 400 MW. In previous inspections, hot spots were visually identified and inspection reports were created, but by applying an image recognition algorithm developed by SBT to the large amount of inspection data, it is now possible to quickly and inexpensively identify hot spots. We have achieved highly accurate abnormal module detection.
In addition, by linking with the Drone Eye IR analysis tool (developed by M-SOL) that operates in a virtual environment on Microsoft Azure, anyone can now perform inspection and analysis quickly and accurately. Now you can do it in minutes.
ESI's drone & cloud solar module IR inspection service "Drone Eye", which implements this tool, is scheduled to start being provided to the general public and Drone Eye partners in September 2018. The three companies jointly filed a patent application for this system in September 2017.

▼ Click here for details on Drone Eye
http://www.energy-itsol.com/service/droneeye.html

■ Development background

In the energy mix aimed at 2030, the power generation composition ratio of renewable energy is targeted to increase by approximately 8% from 15% in 2016 to 22-24% in 2030, of which solar power generation will increase by 2016. The target is a 2% increase to 7% in 2030, from a previously high rate of 5% (*1). However, as a measure to make renewable energy a main power source, efforts are being made to reduce power generation costs in line with international standards. Furthermore, the purchase price for non-residential solar power generation has been reduced year by year from 40 yen/kWh in 2012 to 18 yen/kWh in 2018. As construction maintenance is now mandatory, it has become essential to reduce the cost of maintenance such as periodic inspections and completion inspections.

*1 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy “Regarding measures to realize the 2030 energy mix - Overall arrangement”
Regarding measures to realize the 2030 energy mix - Overall arrangement -

■ Features of automatic analysis tools using artificial intelligence (AI)

1. Analysis of 2MW mega solar can be completed in 3 minutes.
2. It can automatically classify four patterns of module abnormalities and output the analysis results.
3. You can save analysis results to the cloud and instantly create inspection results reports.

■ About infrared image recognition using AI

The AI-based infrared image (IR) automatic analysis tool developed by SBT uses deep learning to detect defective areas in solar power farms through segmentation and classification. We have significantly removed false positives while maintaining the same level of accuracy, and the accuracy rate has improved from 12.5% to 93.5% compared to when we started the initiative.
We will continue to research technical methods such as image classification, detection, and segmentation, aiming to improve work efficiency through more accurate detection, automate by maximizing cloud benefits, and speed up and optimize processing by installing equipment.

■ Drone eye automatic analysis tool screen

<Automatic analysis screen>

<Analysis result screen>

■ Drone eye inspection result report

■ About Drone Eye Partner

This is a partner system that provides Drone Eye's cloud services, software, and training to companies engaged in solar power generation O&M business and drone aerial photography business when they use drones to conduct infrared inspections of solar modules. .
By joining Drone Eye Partner, we will be able to provide our customers with quick, low-cost, and highly accurate inspection services. This service will be provided from September 2018 and will contribute to the realization of efficient inspection implementation.

The contents of each offer are as follows.

1. cloud service
   Using the Drone Eye management site and AI server, you can submit inspection results reports and manage data using the IR automatic analysis tool.
2. Software
   We provide software that allows you to design the optimal automatic drone navigation route for solar module inspections on a screen that combines the layout diagram of a solar power plant and map information.
3. training
   This is startup training to help you safely and effectively implement the "Drone Eye" service.
   This is a basic two-day training course with a curriculum that includes basic knowledge of solar module inspection using drones, how to use cloud services, automatic navigation design methods, safety confirmation items, practical skills, etc.

<Company basic information>

Energy Solutions Inc.
Energy Solutions Co., Ltd. aims to contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society and the prevention of global warming by utilizing the latest IT technology to effectively utilize renewable energy and propose new lifestyles.

Head office location: 2F Hakuage Building, 3-10 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03-6256-8095 http://www.energy-itsol.com

SoftBank Technology Corp.
Based on the philosophy of `` Information Revolution - Happiness for everyone `- Technologies Design the Future -'', SoftBank Technology aims to achieve significant growth and is focusing on the cloud and IoT. In addition to supporting productivity improvements and cost reductions through work style reform utilizing the cloud, we aim to be a true business partner that can contribute to the growth of our customers' core business by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as IoT and AI.

17th floor 6-27-30 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
TEL. 03-6892-3050 https://www.softbanktech.co.jp/corp/

M-SOLUTIONS, Inc.
M-SOLUTIONS, Inc., Ltd. is a drone and robot application development company including IoT devices of SoftBank Technology Group.
Founded as a SoftBank group company, we have mainly been involved in system development for the group.
As SoftBank Group steadily expands, M-SOLUTIONS has worked on numerous projects and led them to success.
In the future, IoT devices will rapidly penetrate society, similar to smartphones and tablet devices.
In addition, automation of analysis and prediction will increase by utilizing the latest AI technology.
We will take the lead in this field and contribute to our customers' business expansion and operational support through the development and consulting of drone and robot applications.

17th floor 6-27-30 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
TEL. 03-6892-3070 http://m-sol.co.jp/

• *Company names, product names, and service names mentioned in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of our company or each company or organization.