3 September 2025

Release notes – Improved Layout Algorithm and AI Object Recognition

📅 Available from: 04-09-2025

With the latest Quickr software update, we are introducing improved functionality for the solar panel layout algorithm, as well as a new feature for AI Object Recognition. Thanks to these significant improvements, you will now be able to design solar panel layouts even more easily and quickly. This is particularly true because the initially and automatically generated layout with AI Object Recognition now achieves a higher, so-called ‘First Time Right‘ rate of up to 85%. Read below to see what has changed.

🔄 What’s new?

1. Improved Layout Algorithm

We have significantly improved the layout algorithm, as well as the interface for manually adjusting the layout. This means you can now tailor your solar panel layout even more easily and quickly. Here’s a summary of the changes:

General

The initial and automatic layout for flat roofs by Quickr can be configured in Campaigns > Applications > General in two ways: along the roof edge (default = Longest) or in a specific wind direction (default = South). It may not seem entirely new at first glance, but in the Design App you can now easily choose not only the longest roof edge, but also any other roof edges, or select wind directions like East, Southeast, West, Southwest, etc.

Design App

Three buttons have disappeared from the menu that previously handled the functions for Adding/Selecting panels in groups and Editing/Drawing roof areas. All these functions are now grouped under the pencil button and the grey menu that appears after selecting the pencil.

New to the menu are three buttons. Entirely new is the Synchronisation button. With the Sync button on the menu bar, you can adjust the Alignment (Along roof edge or Wind direction) and the Number of panels (Fill maximum or Current number) for all groups in the layout with a single click. You can also use the synchronisation button to turn Object Recognition (new feature, more about that later) ON or OFF. With the Sync button for each group in the grey menu, you can control the Alignment, Number of panels, and Object Recognition for just that group. Updated icons for Auto Shade Analysis and Roof Area Display.

2. AI Object Recognition

A new, fully in-house developed feature (optional for existing customers) in Quickr enables automatic detection of objects on roofs by AI. The generated layout now automatically takes these detected objects into account and adjusts the placement of the panels accordingly. As a Novasole customer, you now have the opportunity to test this new feature first and experience how much time and money it will save you. Existing customers must first activate the feature easily in Quickr under Campaigns > Applications > General.
Design App

After activation, a new button will become available in the menu of the Design App, allowing you to activate or deactivate AI Object Recognition for the design. Once activated, the detected objects will be shaded on the map with dark grey areas—see the screenshot below. TIP! Use the new Sync button to automatically apply Object Recognition to the layout of older designs. Deactivation of the feature is also useful when retrofitting an existing solar panel system, as you may not want the existing panels to be recognized and the software to ignore them. Since we are one of the first (if not the very first) to launch such a feature, we are very interested in your feedback. Hover your cursor over the detected objects/dark grey areas and with a single mouse click, give us your feedback via thumbs up or thumbs down. Thank you in advance for your input!

NOTE! Please note: when AI Object Recognition is activated, there will be no extra costs for existing customers applying it to older scans and designs that are reloaded and modified in the Scan or Design Apps. Are you a fan and want to use Object Recognition in new scans and designs? Depending on the size of the building, extra credits may be deducted. Automated object recognition by AI requires significant computing power. By activating Object Recognition, you accept that a new scan or design may be more expensive. For larger buildings, this saves you a lot of time, but there may be extra costs. Below is an overview of the new credit costs:

Because we are convinced of the added value of this new feature and do not want additional usage costs to hold you back, all existing customers will receive 500 credits for free to test the feature at no cost. Simply send an email to support@novasole.nl and we will add the extra credits to the main account.

Would you also like prior insight into the costs of a scan or a design with AI Object Recognition? Consult the Credits endpoint in our API documentation for more information.