Case Study
Real plants, real results: explore how Volateq delivers measurable value across solar assets worldwide.
Drone-Based CSP Performance Monitoring
In the heart of the UAE just 120 km from Abu Dhabi, Shams 1 CSP plant which is owned and operated by Shams Power Company stands as a beacon of innovation in renewable energy.
As a 100 MW power plant, it combines proven parabolic trough technology with cutting-edge power generation, symbolizing the nation’s commitment to sustainability. With its inauguration in 2013 Shams 1 became the largest CSP project globally and the Middle East’s first.
Operating in the Al Dhafra Region, it injects clean energy into the National grid.
Since its commissioning in 2013, the plant has been delivering clean electricity to the national grid using parabolic trough technology.
As operations scaled, maintaining consistent performance across the solar field became increasingly complex, prompting a shift from manual inspection routines to a drone-based, data-driven monitoring approach in collaboration with Volateq.
Key outcomes
Field-wide performance insights from short, scheduled drone flights
Faster identification of performance deviations and maintenance priorities
Reduced reliance on labor-intensive manual inspections
Plant Overview
Installed capacity: 100 MW
Solar field size: approximately 2.5 km²
Number of loops: 192
Mirrors: over 258,000
Solar collector assemblies: 768
Absorber tubes: 25,000+
Energy delivery: direct injection into the national grid (no thermal storage)
Salim Khelifa
Engineering Manager, Shams Power Company
“Volateq’s solution revolutionized our solar field monitoring.
We are noting efficiency gains and the real-time insights ensure a reliable energy supply.”
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