At Portal Drones, we use deploy drones with thermal imaging to check panels properly without the need for scaffolding or specialist access equipment. The drone gives us a clear view of the panels, allowing us to spot anything that needs attention without disrupting the site.
A Practical Way to Check Performance
We’ve carried out solar inspections & surveys on homes, farms and commercial buildings. Every system’s different, but the purpose is always the same - to get a clear picture of performance and highlight any issues before they turn into bigger problems.
Sometimes it’s something straightforward, like debris build-up or shading from nearby structures. Other times it can be hotspots or underperforming panels that aren’t doing their share of the work. Whatever we find, it’s captured clearly so you can see exactly what’s going on.
The usual way of inspecting solar panels can be slow and expensive. Scaffolding and cherry pickers take time to organise, add cost, and bring extra risk with them. Using drones removes most of that. We can cover large areas quickly, stay safely on the ground, and still gather the level of detail needed to assess the system properly.
Because surveys can be carried out efficiently, they can also be done more regularly. That makes it easier to keep an eye on performance and deal with small problems before they grow into bigger, more costly ones.
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Residential & Solar Farm Inspections
We carry out solar panel inspections on everything from domestic rooftops to large-scale solar farms.
For residential systems, inspections help pick up things like underperforming panels, shading, loose connections or early signs of electrical hotspots. It’s a straightforward way to check that a system’s working as it should and deal with small issues before they start affecting output.
On larger commercial sites, drones make it possible to get across the whole array without it turning into a drawn-out job. We can move from one end of a site to the other, picking up problem areas, hotspots or sections that aren’t behaving as they should, without slowing everything down.
How We Carry Out Thermal Inspections
Our solar panel surveys use thermal imaging to measure how effectively each panel in a photovoltaic system is working. This helps highlight temperature differences that can point to faults or areas of reduced performance that aren’t visible in standard photos.
Our drones are fitted with 4K cameras, and surveys are carried out methodically to make sure nothing is missed.
The results can be used to flag issues, confirm the success of recent repairs, or simply provide reassurance that everything’s operating as it should. The imagery also acts as a useful record, giving you something to refer back to over time.
Your solar panel survey report includes:
- Close-up 4K images of all panels
- Thermally tuned imagery
- An overview of the surrounding roof or installation area
Thermal surveys often reveal performance issues that wouldn’t show up during a standard visual check. They work particularly well as part of a regular maintenance schedule, helping to keep systems running efficiently. We also inspect solar-powered hot water systems, including flat panels and evacuated tube setups, using the same approach.
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