Unifly’s NextGen UTM system upgrades the Antwerp-Bruges Port Area together with SkeyDrone
Smart Cleaning: Using Drones for Solar Panels and Vertical Surfaces: Efficiency and Risk Management
According to a report by Verified Market Research, the drone solar inspection market is projected to grow from USD 1.2 billion in 2024 to USD 3.8 billion by 2033, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 15.2% from 2026 to 2033. Indeed, automated aerial operations significantly reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and lower maintenance costs by up to 30% compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, conducting these ‘work at height’ operations using UAS reduces the risk exposure for the workers involved.
Regulatory Framework and Safety Requirements
These operations, however, fall under the Specific Category of the European drone regulatory framework (EU Regulation 2019/947). This means that operators must demonstrate compliance through risk assessments and operational approvals to guarantee safe deployment. In particular, the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology is required to analyze risks to ground and airspace, define mitigations, and ensure safe integration into the environment.
National aviation authorities mandate that operators:
- Provide complete technical documentation for the drone platform and its intended use, including any additional payloads used for cleaning activities.
- Provide defined operational strategies ensuring flight safety in proximity to critical infrastructure.
- Conduct an assessment of local conditions in each new operational area to account for environmental and airspace variables in case a generic authorisation is issued.
Navigating this complex regulatory landscape can be challenging for drone operators and companies: preparing technical documentation and appropriate tailored operating procedures, conducting SORA-based risk assessments, ensuring that the operations are carried out within the limit envelope of both the UAS and any associated payload, as well as meeting national requirements demand specialized expertise and significant resources.
Unmanned4You: A Use Case in Compliance and Innovation
Unmanned4You has been exploring drone applications in areas such as transport, delivery, surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), and environmental monitoring. Recently, Unmanned4You launched a new facility management service called ‘SkyWash’, which required obtaining ENAC’s general authorisation to perform solar panel and vertical surface cleaning using a specialised UAS equipped with a dedicated cleaning payload. Supported by Unifly Consulting, this case demonstrates that achieving regulatory approval goes beyond completing standard forms, as each operation requires a thorough analysis that carefully evaluates risks based on the specific characteristics of the mission itself.
In this case, one of the peculiarities to be considered was the integration of the payloads used in the flight envelope as well as the realization of specifically tailored procedures. In fact, to ensure fully operational safety, the payload must be properly integrated into the UAS and their compatibility and capability should be assessed.
Unifly Consulting provided technical and regulatory expertise by:
- Supporting the preparation of all required documentation for ENAC, aligned with the SORA methodology.
- Defining tailored operational procedures and mitigations to ensure safety and reliability in repetitive solar panel and windows cleaning missions.
- Developing documentation templates to facilitate Local Condition Assessments (LCA) for new operational areas.
- Conducting selected LCAs directly, ensuring conformity with national and EU requirements.
We are proud and grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Unifly Consulting team, to whom we extend our sincere congratulations on their outstanding achievements. Their valuable contribution continues to play a pivotal role in the success of our services and projects."
Unifly Consulting: Expertise in Safe Drone Integration
Unifly Consulting specializes in enabling organizations to scale drone operations within the European regulatory framework. Its services cover the full lifecycle of compliance, including:
- Risk assessments under SORA.
- Preparation of technical documentation for the Specific Category.
- Support in obtaining operational authorizations from civil aviation authorities.
- Strategic advice for integrating drones into industrial processes while ensuring legal and safety compliance.
Building on cases like Unmanned4You, Unifly Consulting demonstrates that regulatory compliance goes beyond filling out standard forms as every operation is carefully analyzed, with risks assessed according to the specific characteristics of the mission, ensuring safe and effective drone deployment in renewable energy and other high-value sectors.
Photo © Unmanned4You, used with permission.
About Unifly Consulting
Unifly Consulting is the newly established consulting division of Unifly, created following the integration of EuroUSC Italia into the Unifly group. Building on EuroUSC Italia’s extensive expertise in drone regulation, safety assessment, and pre-operational approvals, Unifly Consulting delivers high-value advisory services across the unmanned aviation ecosystem. By bridging the gap between drones, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and existing aviation infrastructure, Unifly Consulting is helping shape the future of air traffic management and supporting the safe, scalable growth of airspace operations in the decades ahead.
For more information, please visit Unifly Consulting page or contact us at Info.consulting@unifly.aero
