Thermal Inspections of Solar PV Installations
Increase Efficiency, Reduce Fire Risk & Protect Your ROI with Thermal Drone Imaging.
At Drone Pro Surveys, our CAA-approved pilots capture high-resolution radiometric (thermal) data to expose problems normal surveys can’t — providing your team with actionable insights quickly and safely without any operational disruption to your site.
Why Solar PV Inspections Matter
Public buildings such as schools, hospitals and government facilities rely on solar energy to control costs and meet sustainability targets.
However, hidden issues can silently reduce performance and increase fire risk — often without visible signs.
Potential Consequences:
Decreased
EFFICIENCY & ROI
Increased
RISK OF FIRE
Invalidation of
INSURANCE
Drone Pro Thermal Surveys reveal hidden issues the eye can’t see.
Thermal Image Data
By measuring the difference in temperature between the hottest spots on a panel and the lowest, we can identify a wide variety of issues.
This is calculated into a measurement of the difference – Delta T (ΔT)
1–3°C
Possible deficiency – Investigation required.
4–15°C
Probable issue – Repair soon.
21–40°C
Monitor until corrective action.
>40°C
Major discrepancy – Immediate repair.
Common Issues
Open Panel / Circuit
EVIDENCE
One PV panel is warmer than the others and the temperature is uniform across the impacted panel.
ANALYSIS
The PV panel is disconnected and gets warmer because the solar irradiance isn't converted into power and instead absorbed as heat, resulting in 100% power loss from that panel and could indicate a more serious or dangerous problem.
- Blown fuse
- Disconnected cable
- Damaged or burnt welding point
- Physical issue in a connection box or at inverter
Diode Failure
Open Diode (No Current Flow)
- Effect: Current cannot bypass shaded cells.
- Result: The entire panel acts as a resistor, dragging down the string's output.
- Power loss: Can reduce string output by 30-50% depending on shading.
Shorted Diode (Always Conducting)
- Effect: Current bypasses even healthy cells.
- Result: Panel contributes little or no power.
- Power loss: That panel is effectively offline.
Thermal Risk
- Hotspots: Shaded cells without bypass protection can overheat due to reverse bias.
- Damage: Can degrade cell material or cause fire in extreme case.
Field-Proven Thermal Data You Can Act On
We utilise industry-leading equipment, such as the DJI Enterprise series, equipped with high-resolution radiometric sensors. This allows us to measure temperatures on the spot and capture precise infrared imagery. We don’t just hand over raw data; we provide expert analysis so your maintenance teams can fix the exact problem in the exact location.
- Professional PDF report with annotated thermal and visual (RGB) images.
- Fault summary with clear severity grading (Critical, Moderate, Minor).
- Actionable maintenance and repair recommendations.
- Optional follow-up scan after remedial work is completed.
Drone Pro Thermal Survey Includes
- High-resolution Thermal & RGB Imaging of every panel
- Detection of:
- Hotspots & bypass diode failures
- Shading, soiling & physical defects (cracking)
- Connection issues & string imbalance
- Panel-level diagnostics with zero disruption
- Actionable reports for maintenance and energy teams
- Less than 1 hour onsite to conduct the survey flight.
See Our Thermal Capabilities in Action
Comprehensive Fault Detection
Buildings & Roofs
Building inspections are vital for preventative maintenance and BREEAM assessments. Our drones detect:
- Heat loss & missing insulation
- Areas of damp or moisture intrusion
- Roof leaks and damaged flashing
- Cracks and structural weak points
- HVAC system inefficiencies
Solar PV & Estates
Maximise yield and comply with warranty and insurance requirements. Our thermography highlights:
- Failing solar cells & bypass diode failures
- Electrical hotspots and damaged wiring
- Underperforming panels & shading issues
- Risk of fire or component degradation
- Fast coverage for large-scale solar farms
Systems That Should Be Inspected Yearly
Regular inspections of building systems help prevent hidden faults, maintain performance and significantly reduce fire risk in solar PV installations.
Systems Routinely Inspected
Boilers & Gas Appliances
Electrical Installations & PAT Testing
Security Systems
Rooftop Solar
PV Systems
“Insurer QBE canvassed data from across the UK’s fire services to see how many blazes were caused by solar installations. Our analysis shows fires involving solar panels have risen at twice the rate of new installations over the past two years. Safe solar panel installation and maintenance are essential to reducing fires.“
What You Receive
Maximise yield and comply with warranty and insurance requirements. Our thermography highlights:
- High-Resolution Thermal & RGB Imaging
- Panel-Level Diagnostics
- Annotated PDF Report
- Fault Summary & Severity Grading
- Less than 1 Hour Onsite Survey
- Optional 25% Discounted Follow-Up Scan
Protect Your Investment & Reduce the Risk of Fire with Thermal Drone Inspections.
Fast, safe and actionable drone surveys for rooftop & ground based solar PV arrays — ideal for public buildings, facilities teams and energy managers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. For accurate thermal readings on buildings, an adequate temperature difference (Delta T) between the inside and outside is required, often meaning surveys are done early morning or late evening. For solar PV, we need sufficient solar irradiance (clear, sunny conditions) to ensure the panels are under load.
Absolutely. Drones capture the entire roof or solar array from the optimal angle without the operator standing on steep pitches or fragile surfaces. It provides a complete, uninterrupted view that handheld cameras struggle to achieve on large sites.
Costs vary based on the size of the building or solar array and the location. However, drone surveys are almost always significantly cheaper than arranging manual access. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your project.