Labelling satellite imagery for solar panel detection using Machine Learning

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work is carried out through a network of advisors and specialists located at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, to ensure that local knowledge and context specific expertise is linked to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP provides its policy advisory and programme support functions through the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains, in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and works closely with the Crisis Bureau (CB) that has the responsibility to guide and implement UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Nature, Climate and Energy Team as part of the GPN, supports countries to promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas. The NCE Team works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. T

Context

UNDP is carrying out an innovation project with the goal to create a database of solar mini-grid installations to inform the expansion of clean energy. To do this, the project aims to train a machine learning model to identify solar panels from satellite imagery.

Task description

We are looking for 10 volunteers to support our project team with carrying out data labelling that will be used to train a machine learning model. The images to be labelled are satellite images, where solar panels will have to be identified and located by the volunteers. All communication and collaboration between the online volunteers and other team members will take place through e-mail and Teams calls. The online volunteers shall regularly send status updates about the work to the supervisor. Moreover, the volunteers may occasionally be requested to participate in team meetings over Skype/Zoom/Teams.