Solar panel inspection

Thermal imaging allows inspection teams to identify abnormal heat patterns across solar panels and large PV arrays. Combined with visual imagery, it can highlight areas that require further investigation without checking every module from the ground.

Thermal inspections can identify:

• Cell and module hot spots, which may indicate cracking, shading, soiling or other faults

• Substring heating, which can indicate a bypass diode or connection issue

• String-level abnormalities, highlighting potential faults in connections, fuses or combiner equipment

• Junction box heating, which can indicate a connection or diode fault

• Other irregular thermal patterns that warrant further investigation

A thermal image does not confirm the cause of a fault. Ground-level testing may still be needed to establish the root cause. Microcracks that have not produced a measurable temperature difference will also not appear in a thermal inspection.

Conditions matter

Reliable aerial thermography depends on the conditions during the flight. IEC TS 62446-3 provides guidance for outdoor PV thermography, including requirements for irradiance, wind, cloud cover, module operation and image resolution.

For larger solar sites, thermal sensor resolution affects the altitude and area that can be covered while maintaining sufficient detail. Higher-resolution sensors can maintain the required level of detail at greater distances, reducing the number of flight lines and sorties required.

DJI equipment for solar inspection

Matrice 4T
A compact option for commercial solar installations, combining thermal and visual cameras with a laser rangefinder.

Matrice 400 with Zenmuse H30T
A larger platform for more demanding inspection work, with a 1280 × 1024 thermal sensor and longer flight capability for larger sites.

For smaller rooftop and commercial installations, the Mavic 3 Thermal remains an option where its capabilities meet the requirements of the inspection.

Drones provide a safer and more practical way to inspect substations and electrical equipment without putting personnel close to live assets or requiring access equipment.

Thermal and visual cameras can inspect equipment such as bushings, busbar connections, transformer radiator banks and switchgear from the air. Radiometric thermal imaging also provides measurable temperature data that can be recorded and compared between inspections.

Thermal inspection can help:

• Identify overheating bushings, connections and switchgear

• Monitor transformer and radiator temperatures

• Inspect equipment above ground level without scaffolding or MEWPs

• Record thermal data for reporting and future comparison

DJI equipment for substation inspection

The Matrice 4T combines thermal, visual and telephoto cameras in a compact platform suited to many substation inspections.

For larger or more demanding sites, the Zenmuse H30T on a Matrice 400 provides higher-resolution thermal imaging, powerful optical zoom and a laser rangefinder for detailed inspection from a safe distance.

For sites that require regular or scheduled inspections, DJI Dock 3 with Matrice 4TD can automate planned flights through DJI FlightHub 2, reducing the need for an operator to travel to site for every inspection.

The right aircraft depends on the asset, the area to be covered and the type of data you need to collect.

Matrice 4T
A compact thermal platform for solar installations, substations and distribution network inspection.

Matrice 400 with Zenmuse H30T
A larger platform for longer inspections and detailed visual and thermal work across powerlines, substations and large solar sites.

Matrice 400 with Zenmuse L3
For LiDAR mapping, powerline corridors, vegetation management and detailed 3D modelling of energy infrastructure.

DJI Dock 3 with Matrice 4D Series
For repeatable, scheduled inspections where the aircraft can remain at the site and missions can be managed remotely.

Not sure which setup fits your operation? Talk to our Enterprise team.