Estimation of Photovoltaic Capacity and Detection of Gully Erosion based on Drone-generated 3D Terrain Models.

In recent years, the frequency of extreme climate events has increased, and global warming has intensified. The growing occurrence and severity of such events have prompted nations to place greater emphasis on carbon emission reduction and environmental protection. Concurrently, the rapid depletion of traditional energy sources, coupled with rising global energy demand, has made the development of renewable energy a critical priority. Among the various renewable energy sources, solar photovoltaics (PV) has emerged as a highly promising solution due to its clean and efficient characteristics. As flat land resources become increasingly limited in certain regions, sloping terrains are increasingly being considered as viable sites for solar PV installations, owing to their favorable sunlight exposure and land utilization potential. However, the installation and maintenance of PV systems on slopes present several challenges, including low inspection efficiency, high operational costs, and risks to the structural stability of the systems, which are exacerbated by slope-specific geological hazards such as erosion. This study proposes an integrated approach for hotspot identification and erosion detection in photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on sloped terrains using drone technology. By utilizing drone-derived 3D terrain models, the study estimates actual solar illumination and detects disaster-inducing erosion gullies within potential PV installation zones, thereby facilitating the identification of optimal installation sites. The results of this research will serve as a critical reference for the deployment of PV systems in complex terrains, with particular emphasis on assessing the associated slope disaster risks.