Thermal Drone Imagery, Thermal Scan, Heat Loss

Drone Solar Inspections

Aerial PV Thermal Inspections

Drone Solar Inspection

At AirVantage Drones, we deliver fast, efficient, and highly accurate inspections for solar arrays of all sizes. For most inspections we fly the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal with RTK. Our drones provide comprehensive thermal imaging and high-resolution visuals to detect issues like hotspots, faulty panels, and shading, allowing for timely interventions. With RTK technology, we ensure centimetre-level relative accuracy for mapping, making it easier to geolocate issues precisely. We can conduct viable inspections even in lower light conditions, at irradiance levels as low as 300 W/m² (600 W/m² optimum quality) ensuring flexibility throughout the season.

Our drone inspections reduce the need for costly, labour-intensive methods and improve safety by accessing hard-to-reach areas without putting personnel at risk. We provide quality data with actionable insights to help you maintain optimal system performance. Though extreme weather and low/high irradiance levels can affect inspection quality, our expertise ensures that data is captured under the best planned conditions. With AirVantage Drones, you get a reliable, cost-effective solution to monitor and optimise your solar assets.

Fault Detection

The table below demonstrates some of the issues a drone solar inspection can potential identify:

Fault/Issue	Detection	Cause
Hotspots	Localised areas on the panel show elevated temperatures compared to the surrounding cells.	Defective or damaged cells, shading, dirt accumulation, or electrical failures.
Cracked or Broken Panels	Visible cracks or fractures in the panel detected through the RGB camera.	Physical damage from weather events (e.g., hail), falling debris, or mishandling during installation.
Bypass Diode Failure	An entire string of cells or a significant portion of the panel shows as a hotspot.	Faulty bypass diodes, leading to string-level failures.
String Failure	An entire string of solar cells shows a uniform temperature that's higher or lower than adjacent strings.	Electrical failure, such as a loose connection or inverter issue.
Shading Issues	Parts of the panel display cooler areas in thermal imagery due to reduced irradiance.	Shadows from nearby objects or dirt/debris on the panel surface.
Soiling and Dirt Build-Up	Lower temperature or output across certain sections of the panel due to reduced exposure to sunlight.	Accumulation of dust, dirt, bird droppings, or other debris.
PID (Potential Induced Degradation)	Gradual decrease in performance, detected as uneven temperature patterns or reduced panel efficiency over time.	Electrical imbalances causing voltage leakage and panel degradation.
Delamination or Corrosion	Visible warping or degradation of the panel layers in RGB images or reduced performance detected thermally.	Ageing materials or exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
Electrical Connection Issues	Inconsistent or fluctuating temperature across sections of the array, indicating faulty wiring or connections.	Loose, corroded, or faulty electrical connections between panels or within junction boxes.
Inverter Failures	Entire sections of the array show reduced performance or no output, evident in both thermal and RGB images.	A malfunctioning inverter affecting large portions of the system.