How Could the Drone Ban Impact Renewables?

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party asked the Commerce Department last week to investigate two firms accused of acting as conduits for Chinese drone maker DJI.

For context: DJI, which makes the most popular consumer drones, is classified as a Chinese military company by the Pentagon, meaning the US military is banned from using DJI products. The drone maker struck agreements with US firm Anzu Robotics and Korean firm Cogito Tech Co. this year ahead of a potential ban. Lawmakers have claimed the agreements are a loophole and security risk.

How does this affect renewable energy companies? Project developers rely on drones for…

• Residential projects: Installers fly drones around houses to take pictures and construct 3D computer models. Drone tech significantly cuts down on the time it takes installers to map out solar power systems compared to the old method—climbing on roofs.
• Utility-scale projects: Drone pilots can film videos, take photos, and analyze thermal data for panel output. The projects are often spread out over large areas and can be located in harsh environments, making drones both quicker and safer alternatives.

Using drones for infrastructure inspection can result in a cost reduction of 50% compared to traditional methods, according to a SkyQuest report.

Looking ahead: Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee have already halted the sale of overseas drones into their states. Renewable project developers could see new models of DJI drones barred from the US market as soon as 2025.

Do you use drones for planning and maintenance?