Topographic Survey for Solar Farm Development in Yap

Topographic survey of solar development

Client

TG Engineers

Project Type

Topographic Mapping

Location

Yap, FSM

Project Overview

2cofly partnered with TG Engineers to conduct a topographic survey for a solar farm development in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Given the remote location, challenging terrain, and need for high-precision elevation data, we utilized both LiDAR and photogrammetry to generate accurate topographic maps, enabling engineers to assess the site for efficient solar farm planning and development.

This project showcased the effectiveness of drone technology in capturing high-resolution terrain data, even in hard-to-reach locations, while significantly reducing survey time and costs compared to traditional ground-based methods.

The Challenge

The Yap solar farm site presented several surveying challenges, including:

Remote and difficult-to-access terrain, making manual surveying inefficient
Need for high-accuracy elevation data for proper site grading and solar panel positioning
Dense vegetation coverage, requiring advanced mapping techniques to extract ground-level data

To overcome these challenges, 2cofly deployed drone-mounted LiDAR sensors, capable of penetrating vegetation to capture true elevation data, and complemented it with high-resolution photogrammetry for detailed visual mapping.

Approach & Methodology

Drone-Based LiDAR & Photogrammetry Survey

To ensure a high level of precision, we used:

✔ LiDAR scanning – Captured high-density 3D point cloud data to generate an accurate Digital Elevation Model (DEM).

✔ Photogrammetry – Produced a high-resolution orthomosaic map for site visualization and planning.

Collaboration with TG Engineers

TG Engineers provided ground control points (GCPs) to ensure the drone data was georeferenced with engineering-grade accuracy, aligning with local survey benchmarks.

Deliverables Provided

✔ 3D Point Cloud Model – High-density elevation data for engineering analysis

✔ Digital Elevation Model (DEM) – Accurate ground surface representation for solar farm planning

✔ 1’ Contour Map – Essential for site grading and infrastructure layout

✔ High-Resolution Orthomosaic Map – Detailed, georeferenced aerial imagery

Results & Project Impact

Efficient & Accurate Site Mapping

By utilizing drone-based surveying, 2cofly completed the entire 600-acre site survey in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods, reducing overall labor costs and project timelines.

High-Precision Data for Engineering & Planning

The high-resolution LiDAR and photogrammetry deliverables provided engineers with the topographic details needed to optimize solar panel placement, grading, and infrastructure layout.

Cost Savings & Environmental Benefits

Drone scanning eliminated the need for manual terrain navigation, minimizing ground disturbance and environmental impact while delivering more cost-effective and sustainable survey solutions.

Conclusion

This topographic survey for the Yap solar farm development demonstrated how drone-based LiDAR and photogrammetry can deliver high-accuracy elevation data in remote and challenging locations. By partnering with TG Engineers, 2cofly provided a fast, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly mapping solution, allowing for better site planning and sustainable energy development.

For companies and organizations requiring topographic surveys, LiDAR mapping, or large-scale land assessments, 2cofly delivers cutting-edge drone solutions designed to enhance project efficiency and accuracy.

2cofly (pronounced Ecofly) is Micronesia's leading drone service and education provider. Our core competency lies in remote sensing via various sensing technologies such as photogrammetry, LiDAR, thermal and more.

Few key deliverables we can output with our drones & sensors: