The transition to renewable energy sources is no longer just a promise for the future; it has become a highly precise logistical endeavor. Planno, a greentech startup leveraging AI, is one solution designed for developers looking to grow in the commercial and industrial sector.
Founded by Daniel Domingues, Planno takes a different approach from traditional prospecting methods. Until recently, finding a suitable rooftop for a large-scale installation required entire teams to spend endless hours on Google Earth or consult municipal property records that are rarely up to date.
This operational inefficiency created bottlenecks that delayed critical projects, driving up customer acquisition costs in a market where every penny counts to ensure profitability.
The use of algorithms
Through a platform, Planno uses geospatial AI to automatically detect the most promising rooftops in various markets. The recently announced software not only identifies flat surfaces but also leverages machine learning models and high-resolution satellite data to assess the viability of each structure.
This technology allows planners to quickly rule out areas that do not meet minimum technical requirements, optimizing the development team’s time and enabling a much more aggressive approach to lead generation.
The system’s accuracy is reinforced by a structured quality control process where human experts verify that the algorithmic results match the physical reality of industrial facilities. This is vital for excluding irrelevant structures, such as greenhouses or degraded roofs, which often confuse less advanced mapping tools.
According to Domingues, this combination of automation and manual verification offers a robust alternative to cold calling and blind searches of business databases, transforming information chaos into a shared management platform.
A promising industry
Global installed solar capacity is estimated to soon exceed 3 terawatts, with the commercial segment driving much of this growth due to high conventional energy prices. In more stable markets, so-called soft costs—which include customer acquisition and permit processing—currently account for up to 35% of a solar project’s total cost, giving prospecting software immediate financial value.
The impact of these tools is already evident in specific cases such as Portugal, where Planno’s analysis revealed the existence of 79,000 commercial and industrial rooftops with a generation potential of 15.4 gigawatts.
Planno’s recent partnership with Spark Wave Energy, a company linked to the giant Octopus Energy Generation, underscores the confidence that major European investors are placing in these Arab-origin technological solutions.
Currently, the startup maintains an active presence in markets such as Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United States, and the European Union. The adoption of its software is projected to grow exponentially by the end of 2026. The company’s long-term plan includes integration with customer relationship management systems and other engineering tools that developers already use daily in their operations.
