“Calculations that used to take us a week are now done in minutes. That saves us a huge amount of time and money.”
Data & detection
Solar panel detection from aerial imagery
Identify rooftop solar installations annually using aerial imagery. One reliable dataset powers maps, dashboards and reports at building, neighbourhood, municipal and regional level, while supporting Solar Insight Residential and Pro.
- Annual rooftop solar analysis
- Maps and dashboards
- Municipal to provincial insights
Reliable figures on installed solar capacity
Effective policy requires up-to-date data on realised solar capacity. Our detections show where solar panels are installed, their estimated capacity and the remaining roof potential at building and neighbourhood level.
Accurate
≥95% accuracy
Current
Annual refresh
Easy to integrate
GIS & portal integration
From aerial imagery to rooftop solar insights
We combine up-to-date nationwide aerial imagery with automated detection and manual quality control to create a reliable national dataset of solar panels, estimated capacity and links to buildings and administrative boundaries.
- Building-level detection
- Year-on-year comparison
- Export as a map layer or dataset
Year-on-year solar progress by building
Year-on-year detection is linked to each building, allowing you to track changes in installed solar panels for every roof. These changes are also reflected in dashboards and reports, giving you insight beyond the map.
PV (Small)
| PV - 2026 | 6 panelen |
|---|---|
| PV - 2025 | 6 panelen |
| PV - 2024 | 6 panelen |
| PV - 2023 | 6 panelen |
| PV - 2022 | 0 panelen |
| PV - 2021 | 0 panelen |
| PV - 2020 | 0 panelen |
Aerial photo 2026Legend
PV (Small)
Buildings
Base map
PV (Large)
Grid
- Open
- In production
- Done
Large regions, processed cell by cell
For provinces and energy regions, detections are processed systematically using a grid. Each cell moves from open to in production and completed, enabling annual solar panel detection to scale across large areas while maintaining consistent quality.
Year-on-year insights — on the map and in dashboards
Municipalities and provinces use a single detection layer for interactive maps, analysis and reporting. Compare neighbourhoods, districts or custom selections at municipal, provincial or RES level.
On the map
Click a building, filter by neighbourhood or district, or draw a custom area. View year-on-year figures and trends directly in the viewer, linked to individual buildings and administrative boundaries.
- Progress per building
- Neighbourhood and district views
- Custom area selection
Dashboards & reporting
The same detection data is available in solar monitoring dashboards, KPIs and PDF reports. Compare areas, track RES targets and support decision-making with up-to-date solar deployment data.
- Year-on-year comparison
- Neighbourhoods and custom selections
- Export and executive reporting
From municipality to province
From neighbourhoods and municipalities to provinces and national grids, the detection data scales with your needs. Provinces and RES regions monitor larger areas, while municipalities can focus on districts and neighbourhoods.
- Neighbourhood, district and municipality
- Provincial and RES level
- One consistent data source at every scale
How detection works
A transparent workflow from source imagery to ready-to-use map layers for municipalities, provinces, grid operators and advisors.
Current aerial imagery
Current aerial imagery forms the foundation. Roofs and solar panels are detected automatically and then verified for quality.
AI + human review
Machine learning enables large-scale detection, while expert review helps maintain consistent quality and reliability.
Ready to use
Delivered as a web service, GIS files, or ready-to-use layers in ESG Maps and Solar Insight Pro.
Combine with other solar layers
Combine solar panel detections with roof potential, monitoring data and public-facing residential insights. Add Heat Insight, Green Insight and other sustainability layers to support integrated analysis.
Solar panel detection
Installed panels and capacity per roof.
Roof potential
Suitability and remaining potential per address.
Solar Insight Residential
Public-facing layer for awareness and guidance.
Kaartviewer
Kaartlagen
- Solar panel detection
- Roof potential
- Solar Insight Residential
Combine map layers in your viewer or portal
After detection: Residential or Pro
Once detection is complete, choose your next step: a public solar map for residents, or Solar Insight Pro for policy, dashboards and RES reporting. Both are based on the same underlying data.
Solar Insight Pro
For municipalities and provinces: solar monitoring, dashboards, area analysis and RES reporting.
- Map + dashboards
- PDF & KPIs
- Provincial scale
Solar Insight Residential
A public solar map where residents can check whether their roof is suitable for solar panels and see the estimated solar yield.
- Address check
- Yield estimate
- Communication
Solar overview
All solar solutions in one place.
- Three products
- One data source
Combine with other sustainability data
Combine solar panel detection with other ESG Maps data, such as heat, green space and insulation, to support better sustainability decisions.
Combine insights in one viewer
- Solar detections alongside Heat Insight (aquathermy and heat networks)
- Green Insight and Heat Stress Insight for climate and greening
- Custom selections and area comparisons on the map
Integrated decision-making
- RES and regional energy strategy
- Combine solar, heat and green data at district level
- Clear evidence for municipalities, provinces and partners
One platform
- Use all modules in ESG Maps or your existing GIS
- Annual updates on detections and other layers
- Exports, web services and dashboards
Current page
Fully integrated
Solar panel detection is part of the ESG Maps platform and can be combined with Heat Insight, Green Insight, Heat Stress Insight and other modules. One source for maps, analysis and reporting.
Solar panel detection
What customers say
Experiences from organisations working with ESG Maps.
“We present our expertise as interactive map applications, not dry reports. Colleagues without technical knowledge can use them too - ESG-Maps is an essential foundation for policy-making.”
“ESG-Maps has helped us make sustainability data accessible to everyone. The platform combines powerful visualisation with an easy user experience.”
“Together with MapGear (ESG-Maps) we built a realistic solar potential forecast for Groningen in 2035 - combining data on roofs, heat pumps, electric driving and policy choices.”
“Together with MapGear (ESG-Maps) we developed the TransitiePlanner for energy, climate adaptation and mobility. We are building a dynamic dossier for sustainable business parks.”
“ESG-Maps has helped us plan and deliver our energy transition projects more efficiently.”
“With Asbestdakenkaart we finally have an overview of our asbestos data and remediation progress. One place to prioritise, monitor and report.”
“Calculations that used to take us a week are now done in minutes. That saves us a huge amount of time and money.”
“We present our expertise as interactive map applications, not dry reports. Colleagues without technical knowledge can use them too - ESG-Maps is an essential foundation for policy-making.”
“ESG-Maps has helped us make sustainability data accessible to everyone. The platform combines powerful visualisation with an easy user experience.”
“Together with MapGear (ESG-Maps) we built a realistic solar potential forecast for Groningen in 2035 - combining data on roofs, heat pumps, electric driving and policy choices.”
“Together with MapGear (ESG-Maps) we developed the TransitiePlanner for energy, climate adaptation and mobility. We are building a dynamic dossier for sustainable business parks.”
“ESG-Maps has helped us plan and deliver our energy transition projects more efficiently.”
“With Asbestdakenkaart we finally have an overview of our asbestos data and remediation progress. One place to prioritise, monitor and report.”
Get started with solar panel detection
Request a demo or quote for solar panel detection, annual updates and GIS integration.
ESG Maps products are already used by:
Trusted by municipalities, provinces and organisations in the Netherlands and Belgium
Frequently asked questions
Answers about detections, accuracy and delivery.
Combining AI and manual review we typically achieve at least 95% accuracy, depending on aerial image quality.
We follow annual aerial cycles so you can report year-on-year progress.
Yes — export as WMS/WFS, GIS files or layers in ESG Maps and Solar Insight Pro. Combine with other modules such as Heat Insight for aquathermy or Green Insight for multicriteria analysis.
Yes. The same detections appear on the map (per building, neighbourhood or selection) and in solar monitor dashboards and reports — for comparing neighbourhoods, districts and custom areas.
Choose your next step: Solar Insight Pro for policy and dashboards, or the public resident map for communication. Both use the same underlying detection and potential data.
Contact us
Want to know what we can do for your organisation? Contact us for a no-obligation demo. Special requirements? No problem - leave your details below.