Solar Plane Drone Inspection

Initial scenario

The owner of a photovoltaic system in Grosseto had been experiencing lower-than-expected energy production for about two years. Standard inspections had not identified any problems, but the persistent inefficiency prompted the customer to request an in-depth analysis using thermal drones.

The Challenge and Solution

The goal was to identify the cause of the underproduction, hypothesising intrinsic defects or dirt, without resorting to traditional, time-consuming, and costly inspections. Our solution was a detailed inspection using drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermographic sensors. This technology made it possible to:

1. Identify dirt, debris, or physical damage through high-definition visible images.
2. Detect hot spots, short-circuited cells, and defective modules with thermographic scans, optimised by an inspection conducted on a sunny day.

Results and Benefits

Data analysis revealed several anomalies:

• Hot spots on various panels, indicating defective cells, malfunctioning bypass diodes, and a completely inactive module.
• Localised accumulations of dirt and guano reduced solar irradiation.

A precise map of the anomalies was provided, allowing the customer to take prompt action. Corrective actions, which included the replacement/repair of critical panels and targeted cleaning, led to a return to normal energy production levels and an overall improvement in plant efficiency.

This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of using drones for predictive maintenance and precision diagnostics in photovoltaic systems, maximising return on investment and ensuring optimal energy production.