Rooftop

Solar sales, design platform gets 3D home modeling tech via new integration

Solar sales, design platform gets 3D home modeling tech via new integration
(Credit: EagleView, Aurora Solar)

EagleView, a provider of aerial imagery and analytics, and Aurora Solar, a platform for solar sales and design, have announced the availability of EagleView Powered models through the Aurora Solar Platform, meant to improve design accuracy, project timelines, and homeowner experience. This integration will allow installers to prospect, plan, and validate solar projects accurately without requiring physical site visits.

EagleView uses its own aerial imagery for 3D modeling, captured by fixed-wing aircraft at low altitudes, claiming that it provides more than 70 times more detail than satellite imagery. EagleView says it has mapped 94% of the U.S. population via its imagery.

Solar professionals rely on 3D roof models to predict the final details of the project installation and solar electricity production output for homeowners. The quality of those 3D models is essential to reducing unnecessary costs in the solar install process, EagleView maintains.

“We understand that improvements in cost and trust are essential to the growth and healthy functioning of the solar industry,” shared Piers Dormeyer, CEO of EagleView. “We know we can help solve this challenge because we’re in our third decade doing the exact same thing in roofing and insurance.”

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EagleView’s said its over three billion images and capacity to leverage “oblique and orthogonal” imagery, will be beneficial to solar installers.

“The industry needs these tools now more than ever, and we are looking forward to building a better experience for solar professionals as well as homeowners,” added Peter Cleveland, VP of solar at EagleView.

“We’re delighted our groundbreaking partnership with EagleView will deliver new benefits to our customers as we double down on our commitment to design accuracy,” chimed in Carina Brockl, CRO at Aurora Solar.

Aurora Solar is familiar with public sentiments within the rooftop solar market. Last year, it released a report finding that Americans are interested in residential solar, but many prospective buyers get stuck in the planning stage, hung up on costs, or struggle to find a “trustworthy” solar company.

The report found that more than half of homeowners said they believe solar is a good investment. However, 75% of homeowners who do not have solar, but are interested, said overall system and installation costs are a big concern.

Trust, or lack of it, is a big roadblock for residential solar adoption, the report found. In 2023, 22% of homeowners said they were unable to find a trustworthy solar company. In 2024, the numbers doubled: 44% of respondents said it is hard to determine which solar companies are trustworthy. Solar professionals seemed to agree — the report says by far, the main problem solar professionals face in 2024 is homeowners being reluctant to commit to quotes (38%).

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