We inspect Photovoltaic Power Plants (PPP) by an unmanned drone equipped with a typical RGB sensor and a built-in thermal camera. Such a combination enables a comprehensive inspection in both the infrared and the visible spectra. The former may identify typical defects which demonstrate themselves as spots of increased temperature, and the latter may detect mechanically damaged panels.
The output of the inspection is a detailed report as well as an orthophotomap of the entire power plant with precisely marked defects. You can intuitively inspect the thermal camera and RGB sensor data of each panel and compare the layers. The layer of images in the visible spectrum may be at a resolution of up to 1cm per pixel and, optionally, a 3D model of the entire PPP can be made.
In online interface , inspection results are available from anywhere using a PC, tablet, or phone, without the need to download the entire data package. The browser shows a list of all defects and their location in a PPP map, including the location of the vehicle. Therefore, it helps to quickly identify a defective panel in the PPP premises.
Diagnostics of photovoltaic power plant panels using a thermal camera can quickly identify spots of higher temperature, also known as hotspots; they arise as a result of a defect or damage to a silicon cell or other PPP components and usually cannot be detected by a mere visual inspection of the panel. The combination of a thermal camera and an unmanned vehicle cuts down the inspection time to a few dozens of minutes and the operator obtains a comprehensive thermogram of the entire power plant in the form of a map and a 3D model with exact coordinates of defects. It includes a detailed high-resolution map in a visible spectrum for inspecting mechanical damage to panels.
The orthophotomap can be interactively moved and the scale can be changed using buttons. The scrollbar changes the ratio of images captured by a standard or thermal camera.
The orthophotomap can be interactively moved and the scale can be changed using buttons. In the top right corner you can activate measuring of points, lengths and areas.
Interactive 3D visualisation of solar park - data from drone inspection
Interactive 3D visualisation of solar park in IR spectrum - data from drone inspection