Automate Your Solar Panel Inspection Using Ai-powered Drones

The functions of our entire world are heavily dependant on energy resources. Their scarcity, on the other hand, is frequently disregarded. This has sparked a global energy crisis, prompting many to turn to alternate energy sources in the hope of a brighter future. Photovoltaic Technology is a green and sustainable technology that is making strides in the renewable energy market. The sun's radiation is thought to have great energy output potential. Because of this, photovoltaic devices have been created to generate electric power by converting energy collected from the sun into a flow of electrons using the photovoltaic effect.

With the growing number of photovoltaic plants and solar farms, maintaining their production in a cost-effective and timely manner has become a priority. Solar panel inspections are now supported by cutting-edge Drone Survey Technology, including visual and thermal airborne inspections, aerial infrared imaging, and more. The use of drone surveys in large photovoltaic facilities has shown to be extremely beneficial. Drone-powered solutions have provided PV systems with practical, reliable, and high-resolution data, allowing them to increase their operating efficiency. The renewable energy sector, like drone-powered solutions, is not only sustainable but also unstoppable.

MARKET POTENTIAL

Between 1992 and 2018, the global development of solar systems was astounding. This renewable energy source has evolved from a small market of applications to a mainstream electricity component that helps governments all over the world. In 2019, solar system installations in twenty-eight European Union countries increased by a whooping 81 percent, according to reports. Investments and research and development for such sustainable energy resources are at an all-time high, and we expect this trend to continue.

According to data presented at a DJI webinar, countries including Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands aim to produce more than 75% of all European solar energy by 2023.

To ensure that the photovoltaic effect is maximised, all components must be rigorously inspected and monitored. PV panels can be mounted on the ground, a rooftop, a wall, or even float. These elements, on the other hand, have been seen to ensure efficiency and safety when using drone technology. Solar cells that are infected can reduce output and possibly harm other solar panel components, resulting in significant financial losses for the owner.

Firms in the renewable energy sector may retain their assets' goodwill and maintain energy output by using drones to inspect solar panels in a timely and precise manner. On-site UAV technology produces accurate, real-time, and cost-effective inspection data in seconds.

MANUAL VS DRONE INSPECTION

Despite the rise of solar panel inspections, a variety of checks are still carried out manually with handheld thermal cameras. Thermal cameras are widely used because they may detect manufacturing flaws, cracks, broken components, malfunctioning bypass diodes, and even transient shadowing on solar panels. Handheld monitoring is appropriate; but, by promoting drone technology for solar farm inspections, the approach can be made more efficient. Users can expect higher data quality, increased safety, and time efficiency when they use drone imagery. The following dimensions explain why drone-powered inspection solutions are more reliable than traditional/handheld procedures:

Increased efficiency - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) acquire data almost 50x (times) quicker than other manual processes, making them extremely economical. Since solar farms are generally established on extended properties, drones furnished with thermal and RGB sensors can effectively cover more land to recognize defects than manual procedures. Thermal mapping and RGB sensors present a comprehensive outlook to businesses during solar plant inspections, which handheld mapping does not offer.

Improved Quality & Volume of Data -Drone Technology is often backed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Aerial inspections fulfill tasks precisely and don't overlook problems that manual processes might. The method of collecting drone imagery can be replicated every time required. Since drones cover more areas, advanced technology allows large quantities of information to be seized while maintaining the data's essence.

Avoiding dangerous working hours - Drone inspections cater to a safer surveying and monitoring environment at solar farms. They overcome the necessity of having to endanger worker safety to fulfill maintenance operations.

Reduced costs - UAV Technology assures that inspection costs, maintenance costs, equipment costs, and even potential shut-downs are lowered through the novel method. Conserving the quality of the asset, firms can secure the solar farm's productivity and energy output. With the combination of thermal mapping and RGB sensors, defects can be identified and resolved in their early stages.

Store, track & distribute data - Drone data can be stored on guarded portals for future references and convenient, timely reporting. The data can be accessed through various devices for further interpretations whenever needed. Trends in the data can also be established for in-depth future decision making.