5 Mistakes in Thermal Drone Inspections
Regular inspection and maintenance of panels and equipment in solar power plants is very important. Since traditional inspection methods can be time-consuming and costly, thermal drones have recently been frequently used in this process, but some mistakes can be made during drone inspections. These mistakes can lead to incorrect results and even serious accidents. Here are 5 mistakes made during inspections with thermal drones in solar power plants:
1- Lack of Expertise and Training: Inspection operations with thermal drones in solar power plants is an area that requires expertise and training. The people who will carry out the inspection procedures must have sufficient training and experience. Otherwise, it may cause incorrect results and erroneous reporting.
2- Improper Use: The correct use of thermal drones is very important. During the inspection process, the drone must be flown at the right height and from the right angle. Improper use can lead to incorrect measurements and erroneous results. Giving the drones the wrong angle can degrade the quality of the images captured from the air. In particular, the reflective surfaces of solar panels point towards the camera, causing data to be misinterpreted.
Drones’ visual cameras and thermal sensors should be balanced so that they are perpendicular to the tilt of the solar panels or at a 90° downward angle. In this way, images captured at the right angle will provide clearer and more accurate data.
3- Choosing the Wrong Device: The equipment used in solar power plants can have different sizes and structures. It is very important to choose the right device, choosing the wrong device can prevent accurate results from being obtained.
4- Incorrect Reporting: It is very important to accurately report the data obtained during inspections with thermal drones. Reporting should be done professionally and accurate results should be presented. Incorrect reporting can lead to incorrect results and erroneous decisions.
5- Lack of Security: Safety precautions must be taken during inspections with thermal drones in solar power plants. Since there is a risk of the drone crashing or falling, the safety of the people around should be ensured.
In order to prevent the above-mentioned mistakes, the people who will carry out the inspection procedures must have adequate training and experience, the right device must be selected, the correct data collection and reporting procedures must be carried out, safety precautions must be taken and the devices must be regularly maintained.
Successful Thermal Drone Inspection in Solar Power Plants
Conducting solar inspections with aerial thermography is one of the most effective methods for solar companies today. Aerial thermography must be performed by a qualified drone expert to ensure accurate data.
Drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal sensors and are used to detect problems with solar panels. Problems include fractures, cracks, damage, surface contamination and other issues with solar panels.
Aerial thermography inspections are much faster and more effective than manual methods. Drones can inspect solar panels in challenging conditions and from various angles.
A successful thermal drone inspection requires quality equipment and technology. Equipping drones with high-resolution cameras and thermal sensors is crucial for obtaining accurate and precise results.
It is also important to fly the drone at the right angle during the inspection. Drones flown at the wrong angle can encounter the reflective surfaces of solar panels, which can cause inaccurate data. Correct programming of drones is another important factor. Drones should be programmed for different weather conditions and environmental factors.
Benefits of Thermal Drone Inspections in Solar Power Plants
Thermal drone inspections continuously monitor the performance of solar power plants, allowing any malfunctions to be detected and necessary repairs to be made. This allows the plants to operate more efficiently and leads to an increase in energy production.
Thermal drone inspections can identify temperature differences in solar panels by providing high-quality images. This provides businesses with more accurate data and helps them make the right decisions.
In addition to a successful drone inspection, MapperX software is needed to accurately review and analyze the images obtained from the inspection. MapperX software generates reports for business owners by identifying the location and magnitude of detected faults.
The reports help reduce maintenance costs, speed up repairs and increase production efficiency. Thanks to MapperX, business owners can continuously monitor the performance of their power plants and intervene by detecting potential failures in advance. Visit the website to learn more about “How Often Solar Power Plants Should Be Inspected by Drones”