Image: Above Surveying.
Above Surveying is looking to expand its international reach after securing expansion capital from multiple family offices.
The aerial solar inspection and data analysis company is to use the undisclosed investment to expand its engineering and sales teams and establish a presence to support what it describes as a “growing international customer base”.
It also said it comes as a boost to its software as a service platform SolarGain, allowing it to release new features.
The SolarGain Digital Twin launched in December, providing actionable insights for the operation and maintenance of large solar portfolios, the company said.
Will Hitchcock, founder and CEO of Above, said the funding will allow the company to accelerate its R&D and “realise our geographic growth ambitions”, as well as bringing its new services to market faster.
“We believe that the use of innovative new and emerging technologies will transform the way we inspect and monitor solar assets, right down to a solar panel cell level.
“Through leveraging autonomous UAVs, AI and Computer Vision, we believe that our services can significantly increase the profitability of utility-scale solar,” Hitchcock added.
Anglia Capital Group’s Jeremy Elden said he has been “very impressed” by Above’s technology and team, with the company well placed to export its services globally.
”I am therefore delighted to be able to support their efforts both as an investor and as chairman.”
Above launched a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Essex in March 2019 to use AI to develop advanced inspection services.
In June, it partnered a second university, Loughborough, to develop its thermographic inspections of utility-scale solar. Both partnerships have received Innovate UK funding and are in collaboration with the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology.