Drone Solar Farm Survey Services

What Is a Drone Solar Farm Survey?

A drone solar farm survey uses thermal imaging cameras mounted on our UAVs to inspect solar panel installations quickly and accurately. Unlike traditional ground-based inspections, our drones can survey entire solar farms in hours rather than days, capturing detailed thermal data that reveals panel defects invisible to the naked eye.

At Drone Survey Services, we combine high-resolution RGB imagery with radiometric thermal sensors capable of detecting temperature variations as small as 0.05 degrees Celsius. This precision allows us to identify hotspots, bypass diodes failures, cell fractures, and soiling issues that reduce your energy output and can cause costly damage if left undetected.

James Leslie

Owner, Engineer & Drone Pilot

"Got questions? Call me directly - I'm happy to talk through your project."

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Comprehensive Solar Farm Inspection,Delivered Fast

What You'll Receive

• Thermal imagery of every panel
• Panel defect report with locations
• High-resolution orthomosaic
• Maintenance priority list

Delivered in 5-7 working days

Why Choose Us

• CAA approved & fully insured
• Radiometric thermal cameras
• Latest DJI & sensor technology
• UK-wide coverage

Trusted by solar farm operators, asset managers & O&M providers across the UK.

Available now - typically respond within 10 mins

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How Much Does a Drone Solar Farm Survey Cost?

Pricing depends on your site capacity and inspection requirements. Here's a guide to help you budget:

*Guide prices include standard deliverables. Final quote based on site layout, access, and specific requirements.

What affects your quote?

• Site capacity (MW)
• Panel configuration
• Turnaround time
• Report detail level

Our drone-based approach typically saves 60-80% compared to manual panel-by-panel inspection. Contact us with your site details and we'll provide a tailored quote within 24 hours.

What Is the Difference Between Drone Solar Farm Survey and Manual Inspection?

Traditional manual inspection requires technicians to physically access each panel, checking for visible damage and using handheld thermal cameras. This approach is slow, labour-intensive, and can miss defects that aren't visible at panel level.

Our drone solar farm survey captures thermal and visual data from an optimal aerial position, inspecting thousands of panels per hour. The consistent viewing angle and automated flight paths ensure no panel is missed, while our calibrated thermal sensors detect anomalies that handheld devices simply cannot match in terms of coverage and consistency.

What Accuracy Can a Drone Solar Farm Survey Achieve?

Our radiometric thermal cameras achieve temperature measurement accuracy of better than ±2 degrees Celsius, with thermal sensitivity detecting variations as small as 0.05 degrees. This precision allows us to identify hotspots and anomalies that indicate cell damage, bypass diode failures, or connection issues.

Geospatial accuracy is equally important for locating defects. Using RTK-enabled drones, we position each thermal anomaly to within centimetres, enabling your maintenance team to locate faulty panels quickly. Every defect is mapped with precise GPS coordinates and cross-referenced to your panel layout, ensuring efficient remediation.

What Are the Applications of Drone Solar Farm Survey?

Drone solar farm surveys support the entire lifecycle of solar assets, from pre-acquisition due diligence to ongoing O&M programmes. Here are the key applications:

Can Drones Detect Faulty Solar Panels?

Yes - thermal imaging is exceptionally effective at detecting a wide range of solar panel defects. When panels have faults, they generate excess heat that shows clearly on thermal imagery. Our radiometric cameras can identify:

• Hotspots - Localised heating indicating cell damage, poor connections, or shading effects
• Bypass diode failures - Overheating bypass diodes shown as hot thirds of panels
• Cell fractures - Cracked cells showing as linear or irregular hotspots
• PID (Potential Induced Degradation) - Patterns of reduced output across modules
• Soiling & vegetation - Bird droppings, debris, and vegetation shadows affecting performance
• String failures - Complete strings showing as uniformly cold compared to neighbours

Early detection of these issues prevents energy loss and avoids the safety risks associated with severely overheating panels. Our detailed defect reports classify each anomaly by severity, helping you prioritise maintenance effectively.

What Deliverables Do You Get From a Drone Solar Farm Survey?

We tailor deliverables to your specific requirements, but our standard drone solar farm survey outputs include:

• Thermal Imagery

  High-resolution radiometric thermal images of every panel. Calibrated temperature data for accurate defect classification.

• Panel Defect Reports

  Comprehensive defect register with GPS locations, defect type classification, severity ratings, and recommended actions.

• Site Orthomosaic

  High-resolution aerial imagery of your entire site. Perfect for site management, vegetation monitoring, and visual condition assessment.

• Site Mapping

  GIS-compatible mapping with panel locations. Integration with your asset management system for efficient maintenance planning.

• Performance Analysis

  Statistical summary of defects by type and severity. Estimated energy loss calculations and comparison with previous inspections.

• Maintenance Priorities

  Prioritised action list based on defect severity and potential energy impact. Clear guidance for your maintenance team or O&M provider.

How Long Does a Drone Solar Farm Survey Take?

On-site data capture is remarkably efficient. We can survey 50-100MW per day depending on site layout and weather conditions. A typical 20MW solar farm takes just 3-4 hours of flight time, capturing both thermal and RGB imagery of every panel.

Processing and report delivery depends on site size and your required outputs. Standard deliverables are typically ready within 5-7 working days. For urgent projects requiring rapid turnaround, we offer express processing with 48-72 hour delivery available at additional cost.

How Do I Choose a Drone Solar Farm Survey Provider?

Not all drone solar inspection services are equal. When evaluating providers, we recommend checking these key factors:

• CAA authorisation - Ensure they hold valid GVC or legacy PfCO permissions for commercial operations
• Radiometric thermal cameras - Not all thermal cameras provide calibrated temperature data essential for accurate analysis
• Solar industry experience - Understanding of PV defect types and their operational implications
• Professional insurance - Public liability and professional indemnity cover appropriate for solar asset work
• Clear reporting - Reports that integrate with your asset management systems and O&M workflows

At Drone Survey Services, we tick every box. We're CAA approved, fully insured, and have delivered solar farm inspections for asset owners, investors, and O&M providers across the UK.

Is Drone Solar Farm Survey Cheaper Than Manual Inspection?

Significantly cheaper in almost all cases. Traditional manual inspection of a 20MW solar farm might take a team of technicians a full week, with associated labour, equipment hire, and health & safety costs. Our drone survey captures the same site in hours.

The cost savings typically range from 60-80% compared to traditional panel-by-panel inspection, while delivering more comprehensive data. Every panel is inspected from a consistent angle with calibrated thermal sensors - something manual inspection simply cannot match. For portfolio owners with multiple sites, the economics become even more compelling with multi-site contracts.