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3 Steps to Choosing an Aerial Thermography Supplier for Your Solar Business

A crucial tool for monitoring solar PV systems is aerial drone thermography. This involves using drones to capture high-resolution thermal images of solar panels and components, which can identify potential issues like hotspots and shading that may affect the efficiency and lifespan of the system. It is important to select the right aerial thermography vendor for your solar business to ensure optimal operation of the solar PV system.


This article outlines five key steps to consider when choosing an aerial thermography contractor. These steps include assessing the contractor's experience with solar PV systems, their compliance with industry standards, their insurance coverage, their knowledge of laws and regulations, and the quality of their deliverables. By following these steps, you can make an informed decision about hiring a drone inspection company that best suits your needs.




 

1. Do they Have Experience Performing Aerial Inspections of Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Systems?


When selecting an aerial thermography provider for your solar business, asset managers must take into account the vendor's experience. It's important to engage the services of a skilled drone company that has experience conducting aerial inspections of PV systems that are comparable in size and technology to your facility. This ensures that they possess the required expertise and knowledge to assess the status of your solar systems, comprehend your requirements, and identify any possible issues that could arise during the inspection.


Conducting solar inspections with drones is a highly intricate and multifaceted procedure that requires a significant level of expertise. A competent drone service provider needs to have a diverse team of qualified professionals with a range of skills, including engineering, a thorough comprehension of the solar energy sector, best practices for equipment, and proficiency in data analysis and reporting. This enables them to offer a more extensive and professional service than other alternatives, which is crucial for efficiently managing and maintaining your solar PV system.



 

2. Are they conducting flights by the standards set by the industry?

An important consideration when choosing a drone service provider is whether they adhere to industry standards and established best practices. This includes following guidelines for weather parameters, image capture and data, flight planning, and IEC Standards 62446.


Weather Parameters

Regarding weather parameters, the drone company should have a solid understanding of basic weather patterns and the ideal conditions for flying and image capture, as well as when it's not safe to fly. The best weather conditions for solar PV inspections are sunny and clear, with minimal cloud cover and wind speeds below 15 mph (24 kph) to obtain high-quality thermal images.


Data Capture

When capturing thermal images of solar panels, the contractor should know how to calculate the appropriate ground sampling distance (GSD) and determine the appropriate camera settings and resolution to obtain the desired image quality. They should also follow best practices for data storage and management, such as regularly backing up files and using secure protocols to safeguard the client's intellectual property.


Flight Planning

Proper flight planning is crucial for ensuring that the drone contractor meets industry standards. This includes familiarity with flight planning software options, securing the necessary airspace authorisation, creating a detailed flight plan, and adhering to safe flying practices.


IEC Standard 62446

IEC Standard TS 62446-3:2017(E) is a global standard that provides recommendations for aerial inspections of PV systems. It focuses on the outdoor thermographic (infrared) inspection of PV modules and plants currently in operation. This standard is significant for drone companies that provide inspection services because it specifies the criteria for testing, documenting, and maintaining photovoltaic systems.


For example, the standard outlines preventive maintenance on fire protection. Outdoor thermographic inspections can identify potential hotspots in the solar PV system, which may indicate a problem with the system's wiring, faulty panels, or other issues that can cause problems in the future, leading to fire hazards. Standards also ensure system availability for energy production by identifying problems that may affect the system's efficiency, thus reducing power production.


Additionally, IEC 62446-3 sets forth requirements for appropriate measurement equipment, ambient conditions, inspection procedures, inspection reporting, and personnel qualification. These standards also provide a matrix for thermal abnormalities as a guideline for the inspection, ensuring consistent and reliable inspections and accurate and informative reports. Another useful standard to know is ASTM E 1934 "Standard Guide for Examining Electrical and Mechanical Equipment with Infrared Thermography," which outlines the responsibilities of the end-user and the infrared thermographer when examining electrical and mechanical systems. An experienced drone contractor will be familiar with these standards and practices and be able to demonstrate compliance to their clients.



 

3. Are they Equipped to Provide the Deliverables & Insights You Need?

Having the right drone software application is crucial for generating flight planning and deliverables, particularly when it comes to processing thermal images captured during inspections and producing detailed reports. The software must have the ability to analyse thermal images and detect possible issues with the solar PV system. Some of the available deliverables include extensive reports, interactive maps, and site-specific financial impact estimates, among others.


To ensure that the data collected from the thermal images is properly analysed, the drone contractor should possess the necessary expertise to interpret the images and communicate any potential issues to maintenance personnel. This includes the ability to identify potential problems with the solar PV system and use the software to create deliverables such as orthomosaics, digital twins, Digital surface models (DSM), and panoramic imagery, as well as summary reports and raw imagery. By selecting a drone contractor with the appropriate skills and software, you can increase the likelihood of identifying and addressing any issues with your solar PV system.



 

Getting Started: Hiring a Drone Contractor for Your Solar Business


If you're looking to improve your solar facility's inspection and maintenance methods, Sky Legends offers a solution that can help. Our team of experts specializes in providing customized aerial thermography solutions for solar portfolios of any size. With our state-of-the-art equipment, software, and technology, we guarantee that every inspection will meet industry standards.


Our team has extensive experience in the solar industry and is committed to creating tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. By maximising the lifespan of your solar systems and ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency, we help you move beyond outdated and inefficient methods.


Take the first step and schedule a free consultation with one of our drone experts today. With Sky Legends, you can rest assured that your solar facility is in good hands.

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