Image: Loic Le Meur (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Google_Glass_wearer.jpg)
Sullivan Solar Power has developed a Google Glass app to help photovoltaic installers. In this video, Michael Chagala, Sullivan’s IT Director, describes a few of the features.
Video: Sullivan Solar Power
Among other things, the app allows installers to make calls to company experts for quick remote consultations. Since Google Glass sees what the installer sees, that information is easily passed along to an expert in the office. For example, an installer might have a questions about the roof’s condition and wants a second opinion. No need to have a roof expert drive to a site for a quick analysis.
Besides the benefits shown in the video, I think this can also help installers by having assembly instructions appear on the heads up display and letting them record installation processes to enable remote inspection. I can imagine a technician recording a tricky installation procedure for future reference. If a similar problem occurs in the future, it’s easily recalled and displayed. These features could help reduce the soft costs associated with photovoltaic design and installation.
On the other hand, the whole thing could backfire and installers will be falling off of roofs because they’re laughing at cat videos on YouTube. Technology is a double-edged sword, after all.