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Founder Group Limited (NASDAQ: FGL) (“Founder Group” or the “Company”), a leading engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) solutions provider for solar photovoltaic systems in Malaysia, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with VC AI Limited (“VC.AI”) to co-develop advanced AI-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for solar farm inspections, ensuring the optimal performance of solar farms.
Beyond standard terrain mapping capabilities, thermal imaging cameras, and lightweight construction, the UAVs incorporate VC.AI’s proprietary generative AI software and advanced deep learning algorithms. These technologies enable the UAVs to autonomously identify anomalies and detect defects or malfunctions in the solar panels during inspections, eliminating the need for human intervention. This significantly enhances the efficiency of solar farm inspections compared to traditional manual methods. By deploying AI-powered UAVs on both FGL’s own solar farms and those of its clients, the company improves operational efficiency and optimizes its solar operations and maintenance (O&M) processes.
According to Statista, the global artificial intelligence (AI) market exceeded US$180 billion in 2024, reflecting a notable increase of nearly US$50 billion compared to 2023. This growth trajectory is set to continue, with the market projected to surpass US$800 billion by 2030. Similarly, the global market for drone-based solar inspection services is anticipated to reach US$3.8 billion by 2032, driven by a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5% from 2024 to 2032. In parallel, the global solar operations and maintenance (O&M) market is projected to grow to US$16.4 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 10.1% from 2024 to 2034, according to Transparency Market Research. These trends are fueled by advancements in drone technology, the increasing adoption of solar energy, and the growing recognition of UAVs as efficient and cost-effective solutions for inspections. As the development of solar farms and commercial solar installations accelerates, the demand for drone inspection services is expected to rise, reinforcing their critical role in the renewable energy sector.
“This partnership represents a transformative step in solar farm management, combining our expertise in solar EPCC solutions with VC.AI’s cutting-edge AI technology. By integrating UAVs, we believe this will enhance our solar farm inspections, optimize solar O&M services, as well as unlock new opportunities for additional revenue streams,” said Lee Seng Chi, Chief Executive Officer of Founder Group Limited.
