Drone Thermal Imaging in Solar Farm Inspection
Domestic and Commercial Solar Farms Using Photovoltaic PV Panels
Using Drone technology to inspect Solar Panels makes perfect sense and presents a safe, cost effective and quick solution to see faults both at the installation stage and in subsequent follow up years. Solar panels can suffer from various faults which deplete the efficiency of the panels to produce electricity. Everything from manufacturing failures to bird droppings and tree sap debris can affect the panel’s performance. Getting up above roof installed panels would usually require scaffolding and understanding the risk of working at height, issues that are not a consideration when using a drone.
Primary issues which are commonly found in solar PV installations are defective cells, strings, and defective converter boxes. Defective cells may be found individually or as a group/string whereas a defective converter will appear as a single ‘hot spot’ that does not fit the cell layout pattern. When a solar panel is active and working correctly the heat attracted from the sun is dissipated away as part of the electrical functioning process. When a cell or panel is defective, then this heat builds up from the irradiation and measures at a much higher temperature than the surrounding cells and panels. Using a drone with a thermal infrared camera this temperature delta can be seen and measured very accurately, something that cannot be seen with the human eye.
If these faults are not discovered and put right, then the resulting heat build-up can present a problem to the surrounding roof substructure or with dry grass in a field at a commercial solar farm installation. In addition, further damage such as melted solder connections, cracking of the protective glass cover and degradation of the adjacent cells can all occur increasing the maintenance corrective cost.
Thermal Survey and Inspections
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specialising in providing thermal imaging and anlysis reporting through the use of Drone technology
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Trained and Certified in Aerial Thermography
Drone Media Imaging use trained and certified thermographers to deliver thermographic services and inspections across many domestic, industrial and commercial sectors throughout the UK. Whether it is solar photovoltaic panel inspection in accordance with IEC 62446-3:2017 and BS EN ISO 62446-1:2016 or fire detection and management in disasters zones or underground landfill fires, Drone Media Imaging can deploy across the UK quickly, efficiently and with the right experience.
Aerial Thermography Category 2 Thermography certification to category level 2 focuses on radiometric temperature measurement analysis and the benefits of obtaining precise temperature data from challenging environments for diagnosing and reporting purposes. Whether for qualitative evaluation or quantitative evaluation our report and diagnosis analysis provide you with answers following a non-destructive inspection format from the air via UAV drones equipped with the latest technology. Drone Media Imaging is a small but unique drone operations company specialising in airborne thermal imaging across the UK. Our certification and experience when paired with our CAA enhanced OSC permissions, means we are more than capable of performing any aerial thermal imaging job however challenging. As level 2 thermographers we dive into the fundamental principles of surface emissivity, reflected temperature correction, spatial and measurement resolutions, and as a result providing clients with accurate data reporting that can be trusted.
Aerial Thermal Imaging Infrared Cameras Thermal Imaging cameras capture the reflected radiation from a surface or heat source and convert the recorded temperatures to an image map for analysis. This unique worldview provides numerous advantageous and cost-effective non-destructive options for commercial and residential needs. Aerial thermal cameras of the highest quality provide non-contact temperature measurements in difficult to reach locations that cannot be observe from the ground. As is the case with all drone inspections, the hazards connected with operating at a height are minimised as is the potential of inflicting damage to the structure during the inspection procedure.
Case Study – Explosion at a Grain Store Port of Tilbury London Following an explosion at the Port of Tilbury London grain store in July 2020, Drone Media Imaging were hired to provide aerial thermal data support to emergency service gold commanders and the senior management for the grain store. Flying thermographic data collection missions, hourly, daily, and weekly for over 13 months from the initial explosion and subsequent silo fires, we provided important thermal data reports as the fire developed, enabling the fire management strategy to be accurately measured over time. Comprehensive reports, thermal imaging, RGB photography, and video pictures were used to provide the information essential to effectively manage the problem until the building was destroyed in 2020.
