Above, the UK-based company that integrates drones, specialised software and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and optimise utility-scale solar plants, is entering the PVBook platform with a technology offering designed to transform operation and maintenance (O&M) activities across the sector.
With more than 50 GW of solar capacity inspected, operations in 54 countries and over 80,000 hectares mapped, Above has positioned itself as one of the leading firms in solar digitalisation. Its presence on the platform aims to bring its technology closer to new players in the Latin American and global markets, targeting developers, EPC contractors, asset managers and technical operators.
Above’s proposal covers the entire lifecycle of a solar PV project: from initial topography and construction monitoring to O&M inspections using aerial thermography and visual analysis. Using high-precision drones, the company captures RGB and thermal data, which is then processed on its digital platform. Through the SolarGain system, users can visualise maps, reports and detected anomalies with an accuracy of up to 3 centimetres when compared with the original project layout.
One of the most valued features is the automation of construction progress control, with reports that provide precise percentages for each milestone—from module installation to trenching. This system helps improve negotiations around payment milestones with contractors and reduces reporting errors by 10% to 15% compared with traditional methods. “Each flight generates data that becomes charts and ready-to-use reports for decision-making,” noted Adrián Cruz Castro, Senior Technical Account Manager for LATAM and Southern Europe, during Above’s Day, organised by Energía Estratégica.
The company also integrates 360° panoramic imagery, which is useful for assessing access roads, vegetation or power lines prior to construction. “It is highly valuable for initial site visits or EPC teams,” Cruz Castro added, referring to those responsible for engineering, procurement and construction.
This entire ecosystem is supported by SolarGain, a digital environment that centralises georeferenced information for each project component—modules, inverters, transformers, cabling, fencing and more. The application enables users to scan serial numbers, record non-conformities in the field and eliminate paper-based processes. “We want to ensure that operations can do more with less,” said Cruz Castro.
The company adjusts flight frequency based on project type and client needs: flights can be scheduled monthly, weekly or at critical points in the construction timeline. “We adapt to the schedule and the characteristics of the terrain. If there is vegetation, we use LiDAR; if not, we apply photogrammetry,” explained Alejandro Cebrián García, Sales Manager for LATAM and Southern Europe.
Above’s model reflects a future in which technicians can focus on quality management, while the system and its algorithms handle continuous monitoring of every component. By joining PVBook, Above becomes part of an ecosystem of innovative companies driving the transformation of utility-scale solar development, monitoring and maintenance.
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