Fair Lifts successfully completed a greenhouse shading drone application for Dalsem on August 11, 2025, at their construction site on Maynard Drive in Austinville, Virginia. This project was the first time Dalsem used drones in the United States to apply a shading agent. Fair Lifts was proud to deliver precision, speed, and safety using our advanced fleet of XAG P150 aircraft.
Dalsem and the Virginia Project
Dalsem’s Aleia Roses Complex in Spain | Photo: dalsem.com
Dalsem is a Dutch greenhouse construction company known worldwide for designing and building state of the art greenhouses. Their expertise covers turnkey greenhouse systems that include advanced climate control, irrigation, energy efficiency, and integrated shading. For the Austinville site, Dalsem is developing a massive 64 acre greenhouse project in two phases. The first 32 acre section is under construction with roof glazing set for late June and crop planting projected for February 2026. The second 32 acre phase is planned for the next year.
With glazing underway by late summer, Dalsem needed a temporary shading solution for the first phase to keep temperatures safe for workers. Their standard method uses an integrated roof sprayer, but equipment delays prevented its timely delivery. Fair Lifts offered a timely and effective alternative by deploying drones to apply the ReduSol coating directly to the roof.
Why ReduSol was Chosen
On the jobsite with 2 Buckets of ReduSol Greenhouse Shading Agent
The chosen shading product was ReduSol, a proven greenhouse coating from Mardenkro. ReduSol offers high quality sun protection by reflecting excess radiation while maintaining a balanced internal climate. A 67 percent shading rate was specified to achieve optimal working conditions and protect materials from heat stress.
Application rates for ReduSol are precise, requiring 20 buckets of 20 kilograms per hectare, or 400 kilograms per hectare. For the 32 acre site, this meant approximately 161.86 kilograms per acre, or 8.1 buckets per acre. With 13 hectares under construction, Fair Lifts planned and executed a distribution of over 5,200 kilograms of ReduSol across the entire roof.
Fair Lifts Drone Fleet in Action
Fair Lifts deployed XAG P150 Pro agricultural drones, a fleet built for high efficiency spraying across large areas. These aircraft carry heavy liquid payloads and distribute them with extreme accuracy. The P150 Pro provides intelligent flight planning, stable altitude management, and precise droplet control for a uniform ReduSol coating.
The drones greatly reduced labor intensity compared to manual spraying, which requires workers to maneuver hoses and ladders on the roof. The aerial application minimized risk, saved time, and ensured consistent coverage of the vast glass area.
Key Advantages of Drone Application
- Speed: The XAG P150 drones finished the 32 acre application much faster than conventional methods.
- Safety: Workers avoided climbing on slippery greenhouse roofing, reducing accident risks.
- Accuracy: Drone technology ensured an even coating at the exact required shading percentage.
- Cost efficiency: Less chemical waste and lower manpower needs saved money for Dalsem.
First Time Drone Experience for Dalsem in the U.S.
Mid-project phase, with ReduSol applied to an estimated 50% of the roof surface.
This project was Dalsem’s first use of a greenhouse shading drone application in the United States. The company has traditionally relied on roof sprayers for shading and cleaning. This trial of drone based application revealed new opportunities for future projects where speed and flexibility are critical.
The construction timeline demanded a shading solution before glazing and planting. By partnering with Fair Lifts, Dalsem learned that drone technology can reliably supplement their integrated systems, keeping projects on schedule even during equipment delays.
Project Site and Technical Details
The ReduSol coverage starts to take shape.
The project site covered 130,950 square meters, equivalent to 32.358 acres or 13.094 hectares. Located on Maynard Drive in Austinville, VA, it is one of the largest greenhouse developments in the region. The uniform, flat expanse was ideal for drone spraying, allowing the aircraft to cover large areas quickly without obstruction.
Fair Lifts Role and Expertise
Fair Lifts provided specialized UAV spraying services for greenhouse operations. Our agricultural drone experience extends beyond crops to include greenhouse coatings, solar panel cleaning, and environmental management. Using advanced aircraft and a trained team, we guaranteed Dalsem’s tight schedule was met without sacrificing quality or safety.
This project’s success highlights the value of integrating drone technology into greenhouse construction and maintenance. As Dalsem plans the second Virginia phase, Fair Lifts remains a trusted partner for future shading and crop protection applications.
Fair Lifts’ Commitment to Greenhouse Innovation
The completed application of ReduSol on the greenhouse.
Fair Lifts specializes in innovative drone applications for greenhouse shading and protective coatings, delivering unmatched precision, efficiency, and safety. Our advanced drone fleet eliminates the risks and inefficiencies of traditional manual methods, providing a modern solution for complex projects.
Our collaboration with Dalsem, a leader in complete greenhouse project realization, demonstrates how adaptable aerial application services integrate seamlessly into large-scale turnkey projects. As the industry seeks solutions for temperature management, labor shortages, and tight construction schedules, external shading coatings applied by drone offer a critical advantage for developers and builders.
Contact Fair Lifts or call Phillip Mitchel directly at (850) 517-3540 to discuss how our precision drone shading services can protect your next greenhouse construction project.