The demand for sustainable energy continues to grow. In 2024, renewable energy made up 92.5% of all new power added around the world. Solar power led the expansion, contributing to 77% of renewable additions. 

But as the push for solar energy increases, so does the need for innovative ways to build solar farm infrastructure. One of the fastest growing trends in solar farm development is hiring heavy-lift helicopter services to assist with construction.

At Helicopter Express, we’ve seen firsthand how helicopters can increase the efficiency of the solar farm construction process – especially in remote and hard-to-reach locations. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at why more companies are turning to helicopter-assisted construction for their solar farm projects. You’ll learn about the key benefits, challenges to consider, and the additional applications of helicopter support for solar projects.

Benefits of Helicopter-Assisted Solar Farm Construction

Whether your project involves precisely placing solar panels, transporting heavy equipment, or aiming to reduce your environmental impact, helicopters offer several advantages that traditional ground-based equipment can't match.

Here are a few key benefits of using helicopters for solar farm construction:

Increased Speed and Efficiency

Time is money – especially when it comes to major construction projects. Traditional means of solar farm development involve scaffolding, cranes, and rope systems that are both labor-intensive and time-consuming. 

Helicopters, on the other hand, can quickly transport materials like solar panels, racking systems, and structural components to installation sites. Processes that might take hours or days by ground can be completed quickly by air. 

Helicopter-assisted solar farm construction can keep your project on schedule (and on budget) by reducing labor costs and equipment rental expenses.

Precision Placement

Modern heavy-lift helicopters are incredibly precise. Skilled and experienced aerial crews, pilots, and ground crews know how to place components like support beams, panels, and electrical equipment exactly where it needs to go – the first time. This precise application is especially useful in tight spaces where maneuvering large ground machinery would be difficult – or even dangerous. 

Access to Rugged and Remote Locations

Solar farms are not always built in wide-open fields easily accessible by road. Your farm may be tucked away in a dense forest or on a mountaintop where rolling in ground cranes is nearly impossible – even if you spend the time and money to build an access road. 

Meanwhile, heavy-lift helicopters only need a small area to safely land. They can fly directly to your solar farm’s remote location, bypassing challenging terrain and eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming access roads.

Minimal Environmental Impact

Traditional methods of solar farm and wind farm construction require heavy trucks and equipment that can tear up the ground and disrupt ecosystems. This also typically requires structural alterations, like drilling or bolting. 

One of the biggest benefits of hiring heavy-lift helicopter construction services is that helicopters operate from the air, which greatly reduces ground disturbances. Helicopters can deliver and place solar panels without disrupting the landscape or compromising a structure’s integrity, which is a huge win for solar developers focused on sustainability. 

This can also mean major cost savings and fewer regulatory hurdles – especially on protected or privately owned land. 

Learn more about how helicopter construction is advancing green energy.

Enhanced Safety

Construction sites can be dangerous – especially when dealing with heavy equipment and challenging terrain, or when working at elevated heights. Traditional installation methods can result in falls and injuries. But helicopter operations keep crews off steep slopes, eliminate the need to move heavy loads and equipment through tight access roads, and help avoid accidents caused by rough terrain. 

By working with a highly experienced helicopter construction company like Helicopter Express, you secure a safer alternative for both your workers and your equipment.

Boosted Versatility

Helicopters can handle a wide range of tasks and adapt to a variety of project types, whether you need to haul long structural beams to a solar farm in a remote area or place a transformer on a warehouse rooftop. They are capable of adapting to evolving site conditions and changing project needs without the delays involved with repositioning ground-based equipment. 

This flexibility is vital for solar farm projects that span large areas or involve multiple phases.

What to Consider Before Hiring Helicopter Services for Solar Farm Construction

Helicopters offer numerous benefits to solar farm construction projects, but there are still several factors to consider before hiring helicopter construction services.

Here’s what you’ll need to think about:

Site Conditions

Helicopters thrive in remote locations and harsh landscapes, but you’ll still need to ensure you have access to safe landing zones, clean staging areas, and clear flight paths. Factors like elevation, weather patterns, and nearby structures (like trees and power lines) can affect project logistics and safety. 

That’s why working with an experienced helicopter operator like Helicopter Express is essential. A reliable helicopter company will provide a comprehensive solution tailored to your specific needs, factoring in your project parameters, location, timeline, and budget. 

Project Scope and Load Requirements

Heavy-lift construction helicopters are capable of carrying heavy loads and a wide range of equipment types, sizes, and shapes. For example, Helicopter Express’ Sikorsky S-64E and S-64F Skycranes offer a maximum external load capacity of 25,000 lbs, with sturdy engineering, 132 mph speed, and a 244-mile range. 

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But it’s important to know the size, shape, and weight of all parts you’ll need transported so your hired helicopter service company can determine the best helicopter for the job – and whether you’ll need special considerations (like multiple aircraft types or staged lift operations).

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Budget and Cost Efficiency

Helicopter operations are not cheap. The large expense factors in pilot and ground crew fees, operational costs, maintenance, fuel, and project management. 

However, helicopter construction services can be significantly more cost-effective than building temporary roads or transporting heavy ground equipment to hard-to-reach areas. Not only do helicopters save on time, labor expenses, and equipment rentals, but they can come with a reduced risk of costly accidents when working in hazardous terrain. 

A detailed cost-benefit analysis can help you determine whether helicopter services make sense for your solar farm construction project. 

In the meantime, discover eight ways construction helicopters can save you time and money. 

Weather Concerns

Helicopter-assisted construction operations rely heavily on good weather. Poor visibility, strong winds, rain, and fog can impact both the safety and efficiency of solar panel installation or replacement projects. Even if the site is ready and the crew is in place, poor weather can ground operations temporarily.

You can combat these concerns by:

• Building the potential of disruptive weather into your project timeline
• Working with a helicopter provider who monitors current and upcoming weather conditions in real time and adjusts project logistics accordingly

An experienced flight team will know how to plan around local weather patterns and quickly adjust to changing forecasts. This ability to quickly adapt will help your crew safe and help keep your project on track. 

Regulatory Compliance

Helicopter operations are subject to strict safety and regulatory guidelines – especially when working near businesses and residences or in protected areas. A certified and experienced helicopter provider will help you ensure all permits, flight plans, and safety protocols are handled properly.

Communication

Finally, successful helicopter-assisted solar farm construction requires swift and efficient communication between aerial crews, ground teams, construction managers, and pilots. From lift planning and preparation to flight plans – and everything in between – it’s essential that everyone involved understands the plan.

Choosing a provider with a strong track record of collaboration and clear communication is key to keeping every step of your project safe and on schedule. 

Helicopter Applications Beyond Solar Farm Construction

Solar farm construction is a natural fit for the capabilities of helicopters, but these versatile aircraft can support a wide range of other types of solar panel installations as well.

Here are a few examples:

• Warehouse Rooftop Installations: Large warehouses often feature wide, flat roofs that are perfect for solar panel installations. Helicopters can quickly lift and place panels with precision, cutting down installation time and minimizing the need for cranes or extensive scaffolding.
  
  
• Skyscraper Rooftop Installations: Installing solar panels on high-rise buildings and skyscrapers involves tricky logistics. Ground cranes don’t have the necessary reach, and street closures and traffic congestion create headaches for nearby businesses and residents. Helicopters can lift solar panels and place hardware safely and directly on rooftops in a fraction of the time.
• Bridge and Dam Installations: Solar installations on critical infrastructure like bridges, dams, and remote utility stations can be difficult without helicopter support. These structures often have limited access and unique engineering constraints. Heavy-lift helicopters can deliver and install solar equipment precisely where it’s needed without disturbing the surrounding landscape and infrastructure.

Helicopters: A Smarter, Faster Approach to Solar Farm Construction

As the solar industry continues to grow, so does the need for faster, more effective, and more cost-efficient solutions. Helicopter-assisted solar farm construction is proving to be an ideal alternative to slow moving and labor-intensive ground cranes. From solar farm construction in rugged, remote terrain to installation on high-rise rooftops, helicopters offer unmatched speed and precision.

Like with any specialized service, it’s important to plan carefully. You’ll need to consider factors like the weather, your budget, project scope, load requirements, and more. 

But with the right helicopter construction partner, helicopter-assisted solar farm construction can drastically improve your project’s logistics and timeline while keeping your budget in check.

Ready to Elevate Your Next Solar Construction Project?

Get in touch with Helicopter Express today to learn how our helicopter construction services can support your renewable energy goals. We bring nearly three decades of experience in heavy-lift operations, precision aerial work, and mission-critical logistics. 

Whether you’re developing a large-scale solar farm or installing panels on the rooftop of a warehouse or skyscraper, our team is here to get the job done right. We promise safety, efficiency, and the highest level of professionalism to all our clients.