Visualizing Solar Power Design Data on Site with AR｜Construction Simulation Realized with LRTK

Introduction: The Gap Between Design and Site in Solar Power Projects

In large-scale solar power generation projects, there are often gaps between meticulously prepared design drawings and the actual site conditions. Subtle differences in terrain, misinterpretation of drawings, and insufficient communication can lead to cases where construction cannot proceed exactly as designed. As a result, sudden design changes and rework can occur on site, causing project delays and additional costs.

Designers perform optimal layouts and power generation simulations at their desks, but those results do not always match the site 100%. For site construction managers, relying only on paper drawings or coordinate lists to accurately set out positions across vast areas is a major burden. For example, a location assumed to be flat during design may actually have a slight slope that requires racking height adjustments, or temporary stakes indicating pile positions may be misplaced and later force corrections.

How can we close these “design-to-site gaps” and enable smoother construction? This article introduces AR (augmented reality) technology and construction simulation using LRTK as a promising solution.

Why AR (Augmented Reality) Is Needed on Construction Sites

One method that has emerged to bridge the gap between the site and design is AR (Augmented Reality) technology. AR overlays digital 3D information onto the real-world view, and with recent improvements in smartphone and tablet performance, it has become practical for use on construction sites. In particular, the latest iPhone and iPad models include high-performance cameras and LiDAR sensors; combined with dedicated apps leveraging these features, AR can now be integrated into everyday construction management. As the industry-wide digital transformation (DX), led by initiatives such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s i-Construction, advances, AR—by directly linking drawing information and the field—is increasingly seen as a powerful solution to simultaneously improve site efficiency and quality.

Why is AR especially demanded on construction sites like solar power plants? The main reason is the elimination of gaps through intuitive on-site visualization. Even things that look fine on drawings can reveal issues when viewed in the actual terrain and environment. AR allows these discrepancies to be intuitively recognized on-site before or during construction, enabling early detection of problem areas. Even less experienced workers can immediately understand the planned appearance or precise installation positions displayed in AR, reducing communication losses and human errors. Processes that used to require measured surveys to be taken back to the office for verification against drawings can now be checked and decided on-site with AR. On sites like solar power plants with large expanses of land, merely reconciling drawings with field conditions used to take a lot of time, but AR enables “checking while looking at the site,” dramatically improving operational efficiency. For these reasons, demand for AR adoption at construction sites continues to grow.

How LRTK Provides AR Visualization

So what mechanism is required to practically use AR on site? A key solution is LRTK, offered by Lefixea. LRTK is a system that enables centimeter-level positioning by attaching a compact high-precision GNSS receiver to a smartphone. It uses satellite positioning augmentation technology based on the RTK (Real Time Kinematic) method, allowing real-time acquisition of highly accurate position data with errors within a few centimeters. By using this high-precision positioning data for AR display, design data 3D models can be projected into the real world without misalignment.

Conventional smartphone AR typically requires an initial alignment of the virtual model and the real object (origin setting) on site, after which the device’s accelerometer and camera feature-point tracking follow the position. However, that approach tends to suffer from gradual drift as the user moves. In contrast, LRTK continuously supplements the model’s position with absolute GNSS coordinates, so a 3D model once displayed rarely shifts as the user moves. Initial alignment is performed automatically, allowing immediate AR use on site without cumbersome calibration work.

For example, when projecting a racking model for solar panels onto the site scenery, LRTK displays it at the exact position and scale based on coordinates extracted from the design drawings, so it appears to match the actual ground precisely. The model’s orientation also follows the direction the camera is pointed in real time, letting users walk around and inspect from various angles without feeling incongruent. LRTK also includes a cloud-based framework for sharing and managing the obtained high-precision position data and point-cloud scan data, facilitating data linkage between the field and the office. In this way, LRTK can be considered an AR visualization platform that accurately and seamlessly bridges design data and the real site.

Practical Benefits of Visualizing Design Data on Site

What advantages does visualizing design information directly on site bring to site management? The main benefits are summarized below.

• Immediate detection and correction of issues: By overlaying design models on the site in AR, problems can be detected during construction and corrective measures can be considered immediately. For example, if piles believed to have been driven according to the drawings are actually misaligned, AR enables instant detection and correction. This prevents discovering mistakes after concrete pouring and having to perform rework.

• Improved construction accuracy and quality: Following AR guidance aligned to centimeter-level precision minimizes deviations from design coordinates. All equipment can be installed at the planned positions, angles, and heights, improving overall plant quality and safety. In particular, for the many piles used in solar foundations, AR prevents cumulative positional deviations that would otherwise cause rack distortion or uneven panels.

• Dramatic improvement in work efficiency: Compared to traditional methods of holding drawings while using surveying equipment to mark points, AR work—where operators simply follow intuitive on-screen guides—saves a great deal of time. Tasks that previously required a surveying team to set out each point can be completed by one person carrying only a smartphone. In fact, after introducing RTK-GNSS and AR for pile positioning, some reports indicate the work finished in about 1/6 of the time required by traditional optical surveying methods. Such time savings significantly boost overall site productivity.

• Smoother communication: By showing stakeholders the AR screen on a smartphone or tablet, anyone can intuitively understand the completed form. Designers, constructors, and project owners can communicate more easily than when interpreting drawings. Visual explanations make it easier to convey information to those unfamiliar with technical terms or drawing symbols, reducing miscommunications like “I said that—no you didn’t” and making meetings more efficient.

• Addressing labor shortages and skills transfer: Even without experienced personnel on site, accurate construction is possible by following AR guidance, enabling less experienced staff to become productive. With smartphone instructions, specialized surveying knowledge is not required for position setting. Tasks that previously required hiring surveyors can be handled by site staff, making it easier to cope with labor shortages. Digital tools that supplement veteran intuition and experience also help close skill transfer gaps.

• Cost reduction: Preventing rework and shortening task times ultimately reduces construction costs. Replacing expensive dedicated surveying instruments with a smartphone reduces acquisition and rental expenses. Efficiency gains also lower labor costs and shorten construction schedules, yielding substantial overall cost benefits.

Use Cases: Pile Position Verification / Racking Installation Preview / Schedule Meetings

How can AR visualization be used in practice? Here are representative use cases assuming a solar power plant site.

• Pile position verification: To support racking for solar panels, hundreds or more piles must be accurately placed across large sites. With LRTK’s AR guidance, workers can be navigated to each pile location specified in the design by carrying a smartphone. As they approach the target point, marks such as a crosshair appear on the screen to indicate “this is the pile location,” identifying the point with accuracy of only a few centimeters. Workers can then mark the spot and drive the pile, which is vastly faster and more reliable than the traditional method of using tape measures and surveying instruments. If terrain is complex and you cannot stand directly on the pile location, a virtual pile can be displayed in AR to indicate “there is a pile at this point,” allowing safe and precise positioning even on steep slopes.

• Previewing rack installation: By overlaying 3D models of racking on the site scenery in AR, you can visualize the finished appearance and layout balance beforehand. For instance, when arranging racks on a slope, AR lets you visually check differences in rack heights and angles and detect unevenness that may be hard to notice during design. You can also check for interference with terrain (whether a rack is too buried or too elevated) and consider adjustments to pile length or support methods as needed. Because AR can show how solar panels will actually be arranged, it’s useful for explaining impacts on nearby scenery or sharing the completed image with project owners.

• Using AR in schedule meetings: AR also proves valuable during on-site schedule meetings and coordination sessions. Project participants can project uninstalled equipment models or items intended for the next phase onto the site using a smartphone or tablet, allowing everyone to discuss specific details while looking at the same predicted completion view. Spatial plans that are hard to convey with paper schedules or drawings—such as “which area to construct next” or “where a cable will be buried along this route”—become obvious in AR. This smooths alignment on procedures and responsibilities, shortens meeting time, and helps prevent mistakes. Sharing a visual of the future completed form via AR can also boost team motivation.

Ways to Prevent Typical “Design-to-Construction Deviations” in Solar Projects

Deviations between design and construction in solar installations can lead to major problems in later stages. However, using AR and digital surveying technologies can prevent many of these discrepancies. Here are some key measures.

• On-site AR verification before construction: Before starting work, bring the design data to the site and project the completed model or layout in AR. Plans that looked fine on drawings often reveal issues when overlaid on real terrain. AR helps identify problems around boundaries or in areas with elevation differences, such as whether a panel row is too close to a neighboring property boundary or whether rack leg lengths are sufficient on a steep slope. If necessary, perform design adjustments before construction starts—this simple step greatly reduces the risk of later design changes.

• Accurate position guidance using AR: During actual construction, use AR guidance with RTK-GNSS-compatible systems like LRTK to accurately drive piles and install equipment. This minimizes human surveying errors and communication mistakes, enabling construction that closely matches the design coordinates. Correctly positioning and orienting components from the start reduces the need for later adjustments or rework. For repetitive tasks like mass pile driving in solar installations, AR guidance lets anyone achieve consistent precision, preventing quality variability.

• Ongoing checks during construction: As work progresses, overlay partially completed structures with the design model in AR to verify alignment. For example, after pile driving, compare the actual pile positions to the design positions using AR and check for deviations. If small misalignments are found, correct them at that stage to prevent downstream impacts. For buried piping work, verifying the design against the installation in AR before backfilling prevents record mistakes or overlooked defects. By inserting AR checks throughout construction, deviations can be halted before they escalate into major problems.

• Digital records and feedback: Use surveying apps linked to AR to save and share construction data to the cloud each time it’s collected on site. Office-based designers can then instantly access measured site values and quickly notice differences between design and reality. For example, by using LRTK’s point-cloud scanning to record post-construction terrain and structures as 3D data and visually compare them with the design model (using color-coding), you can analyze height and position differences down to the centimeter level. These detected discrepancies can be used not only for reporting but also to inform future design improvements. Feeding real on-site insights back into the process helps prevent repeating the same deviations in future solar projects.

AR Display Usability and Scope (Smartphones, Coordinate Data, Site Environment)

To maximize the benefits of AR on site, consider several points regarding devices and environmental conditions.

• Simplicity of using a single smartphone: No special equipment is required for AR display—you can use the smartphones or tablets already in routine use on site. Most modern iPhone and Android devices come with advanced AR capabilities built in, and attaching a compact GNSS receiver like LRTK ensures positioning accuracy. Since everyone is familiar with smartphone interfaces, adoption on site tends to be smooth and intuitive. Applications extend beyond a single smartphone: for example, heavy equipment operators can monitor a tablet from the cab while working, so the scope of AR use is not limited to one device.

• Integration with design coordinate data: For correct AR display, it’s important that design data include position coordinates. When preparing plan files (DXF/DWG, etc.) or 3D models, align them as much as possible with real-world survey coordinate systems. If models uploaded to the cloud use global coordinates like latitude/longitude in the WGS84 system or Japan’s plane rectangular coordinates, the LRTK app will automatically overlay the model at the correct site position. If only a proprietary local coordinate system exists, you can measure a known reference point on site and align the model accordingly. In short, when digital design data match site survey coordinates, accurate AR display is achievable without complex manual alignment.

• Outdoor environmental considerations: When using AR on outdoor sites like solar power plants, be mindful of surrounding environmental conditions. GNSS positioning performs best in open skies; in forests, cliffs, or other areas where satellite signals are blocked, positioning accuracy may degrade or fail. In such cases, combining traditional surveying methods using optical instruments or temporarily placing ground markers to align AR models can be effective workarounds. Also, in direct sunlight during summer, smartphone screens can be hard to see, so improve visibility by finding shade or using a tablet hood. Although the setup is essentially a smartphone plus a GNSS receiver, they are still precision devices—use waterproof/dustproof cases, attach drop straps, and prepare spare batteries for long operations. Preparing for harsh site conditions helps ensure trouble-free device operation.

Voices from Practitioners: Faster On-Site Decision-Making Thanks to AR

Sites that have actually introduced AR report that “on-site decision-making has become markedly faster.” A construction manager at a solar power plant said, “Because we can confirm on site with AR whether equipment is placed according to the design, we can make immediate decisions and move on to the next process.” The time spent comparing drawings with actual conditions has disappeared, reducing periods where craftsmen were waiting for decisions. Another site supervisor commented that “meetings that used to require looking at paper drawings are now much quicker thanks to AR, because everyone can easily picture the finished state.” Even in cases where survey results used to be taken back to the office for discussion with designers, AR allows everyone to gather on site and understand the situation together, meaning “decisions can be made within the same day,” cutting unnecessary waiting time. In these ways, AR accelerates on-site judgment and communication, contributing to speeding up the entire project.

Conclusion: Make Solar Construction Smarter with AR + Positioning Technology

The combination of AR and high-precision positioning technology brings unprecedented “smart construction” to solar power plant sites. As shown in this article, AR is a highly effective solution for closing the information gap between design and site and achieving accurate, efficient, and safe construction. Especially when using systems like LRTK, design models can be visualized on site with just a smartphone—without relying on dedicated equipment—transforming how sites are managed. By supporting and automating tasks that previously depended on manual effort and experience, digital technologies help anyone work without errors, improving overall project productivity and reducing risk. As the solar power industry grows, smart construction using AR plus positioning technology will increasingly become a standard approach. By riding the wave of site DX, companies can realize smarter, more resilient solar construction and should actively adopt AR technologies.

For Those Considering Using LRTK’s AR Features and Simple Surveying

Finally, for those considering introducing LRTK’s AR features and smartphone surveying in their own operations, here are some points to consider during evaluation.

• Prepare digital design data: As a first step in AR utilization, digitize drawings and models (prepare CAD data and 3D models). If possible, provide 3D models with coordinate information from the design stage (BIM/CIM, etc.). Even without 3D data, AR can work if you have a list of key points’ coordinates on a plan, so start by organizing basic information such as pile position lists.

• Start with small-scale trials: If you’re hesitant to adopt AR site-wide immediately, begin with trial use in a limited area or for specific tasks. For example, try using AR guidance for pile driving in a small racking row to let the team experience how much efficiency improves. Begin with a small pilot and expand the scope gradually after seeing results so site staff can adapt without strain.

• Train site staff: Provide brief operation explanations and demo sessions for staff unfamiliar with smartphones or AR. Fortunately, the LRTK app has a simple interface and supports Japanese, so once used, the convenience becomes intuitive. If there are concerns, have veterans and newcomers perform the first few pile setups together while viewing AR, so newcomers can get accustomed. Sharing AR footage on site and exchanging opinions often leads to ideas for additional applications.

• Utilize the LRTK solution: LRTK bundles positioning devices, a smartphone app, and cloud services into an integrated solution, so you can procure the necessary hardware and software together. Compared with conventional surveying gear (RTK-GNSS receivers, total stations, etc.) that cost several hundred thousand to millions of yen, LRTK significantly lowers the barrier to entry, making it accessible even to small and medium-sized contractors. Since it leverages existing smartphones, there’s minimal burden to learn a new device. If interested, please refer to the detailed information and case studies on the [LRTK official site](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com) to assess applicability to your projects.

For product inquiries or consultation on adoption, feel free to contact us via [Contact](https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com/contactlrtk). Let cutting-edge technology evolve the construction processes of solar power plants to the next level.