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Expanding Our Expertise in Solar PV Testing
We are excited to announce that Drone Media Imaging has officially launched a new service: IEC 62446-compliant solar string electrical testing.
This addition complements our well-established thermal inspection offerings and enables us to deliver a fully integrated, standards-based inspection and diagnostic service for commercial solar PV systems across the UK.
Solar systems are a long-term investment. But without regular performance checks and electrical testing, hidden faults, gradual degradation, or installation issues can reduce generation efficiency and lead to costly downtime. Our new service addresses this head-on, giving system owners, asset managers, and maintenance providers the confidence they need that their systems are safe, compliant, and performing as expected.
Why Add Electrical String Testing to Solar Inspections?
Filling the Diagnostic Gap
Thermal imaging is exceptional for identifying heat anomalies, cell-level faults, bypass diode issues, or PID — but it doesn’t show you what’s happening inside the wiring or string configuration. Electrical string testing fills this gap.
By applying the globally recognised IEC 62446-1 and IEC 61829 testing standards, we can test each solar string for safety, insulation integrity, voltage output, polarity, and short-circuit current. When enhanced with I-V curve tracing, we also capture true performance characteristics, helping identify:
Underperforming strings
Wiring or connector degradation
Shading or mismatch issues
Degraded modules or diode faults
Early-stage system inefficiencies
Whether it’s for commissioning, fault-finding, preventative maintenance, or performance benchmarking, string testing provides the data-driven insight needed to make informed decisions.
What Is IEC 62446-1 and Why Does It Matter?
IEC 62446-1 is the international standard for photovoltaic system documentation, commissioning, and inspection. It defines the minimum tests and procedures required to verify the safe and correct installation of a PV system, including:
Continuity of protective conductors
Insulation resistance
Correct polarity
Open-circuit voltage (Voc)
Short-circuit current (Isc)
These are known as Category 1 (Cat 1) tests — forming the essential safety layer. The standard also defines Category 2 (Cat 2) tests, which include performance verification such as I-V curve tracing and maximum power point analysis. Compliance with this standard ensures that inspections are evidence-based, repeatable, and recognised internationally, supporting system integrity, performance monitoring, and insurance or warranty obligations.
Who Benefits from This Service?
Our solar string testing is tailored to the needs of professionals across the renewable energy sector:
Commercial solar asset owners – Validate ROI, maintain warranties
Facilities managers – Prevent faults before they escalate
O&M contractors – Provide certified third-party verification
EPCs and developers – Ensure compliance before project handover
Insurers and financiers – Confirm system health and output data
If you manage, own, install, or insure a solar system, this service provides clear, independent insight backed by international standards.
Why Choose Drone Media Imaging?
We combine years of technical expertise in thermal imaging, solar inspections, and drone-based aerial surveying with new on-the-ground string-level electrical testing — giving you one trusted provider for complete solar diagnostics.
Certified Level 3 Thermographers
BS7671 electrical certification
FLIR and IEC-grade instrumentation
Nationwide service coverage
Rapid turnaround and professional reporting
Unlike traditional electrical contractors or O&M teams, we don’t just test — we interpret. Our findings are delivered in clear, non-technical language when needed, backed by charts, images, and compliant data.
What You Receive
Every job includes:
Certified testing by qualified professionals
On-site measurements with minimal disruption
Standards-compliant digital report
Optional thermal and electrical integration
Follow-up support and clarification if needed
As commercial solar becomes more integral to energy infrastructure, reliable and evidence-based inspection services are more important than ever. Drone Media Imaging’s IEC 62446-compliant string testing service offers the performance assurance and peace of mind you need — from installation to operation and everything in between.
Let us help you unlock the full potential of your solar PV investment.
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