Assessing a Decade of Solar Power
A local farmer in Steenhuffel installed a significant solar array of 216 panels back in 2014. After a decade of service, the owner wanted to understand the current health and efficiency of his investment. Identifying potential defects, degradation, or damage in such a large array is nearly impossible from the ground. HOVVR provided a fast, detailed, and non-invasive thermal inspection to give the farmer a clear picture of his panels' performance.
From Thermal Data to Actionable Insights
The real value is unlocked after the flight, where the captured data is turned into a clear, actionable report.
Rapid Data Collection: In a single flight of just 8 minutes, our drone captured 672 high-resolution thermal and visual photographs.
Comprehensive Thermal Map: This data was used to create a detailed thermal orthophoto—a complete temperature map of the entire solar array. This allows for an at-a-glance overview of the installation's health.
Detailed Analysis: Using the DJI Thermal analysis tool, each panel was meticulously examined. The inspection quickly identified 7 minor issues and 3 severe issues, such as hotspots and defective cells. These faults can lead to significant energy loss and, in severe cases, pose a fire risk.
This detailed analysis provides the farmer with the precise location of underperforming or faulty panels, enabling targeted maintenance to restore efficiency and ensure the safety of his investment.
