Category: Solar Panels & Thermography

In this category, you’ll find everything about inspecting solar panel installations using thermal imaging. We reveal hidden issues like faulty bypass diodes and performance loss — and show you how to address them effectively.

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From Data to Report: How We Deliver Drone Inspection Data in a Structured Way (and What Clients Really Need)

Introduction: Beyond the Drone Flight: What Matters is the Usable Report

 

Solar panels are a long-term investment, but their performance can decline annually due to hidden defects. A drone inspection is a fast and safe way to map the health of your installation. However, raw thermal images or a long list of photos are often insufficient for a manager or owner.

At Droneview.be, we know: the true value of an inspection is not in the flight, but in the structured report you receive. We ensure that every hotspot and defect is translated into a direct actionable step.

Step 1: Data Collection – What the Drone Sees

 

Our specialized drones (equipped with cameras such as the DJI Zenmuse XT2) collect two crucial data streams simultaneously:

  1. Thermal (IR) Images: These record heat differences. A defective solar cell, a broken bypass diode, or a poor connection emits heat and appears as a bright ‘hotspot’ in the image. This is the primary source of defect detection.
  2. Visual (RGB) Images: These 4K images provide the visual context. They are essential for identifying physical damage (such as cracks) or contamination (such as bird droppings or leaves).

In addition, each image is provided with accurate GPS coordinates (Geotagging). This is the key to quickly locating and repairing defects on your large installation.

This example shows the crucial role of the dual sensor (thermal and visual). The thermal image (left) shows a clear hotspot, which could initially indicate a diode failure. Thanks to the simultaneous visual photo (RGB) (middle), the actual cause is immediately identified: a spot caused by bird droppings. The zoomed-in view (right) confirms this is a local shading issue rather than a permanent electrical defect, avoiding unnecessary repair costs. Droneview.be’s analysis filters out such ‘false positives’.

Step 2: The Analysis – From Hotspot to Defect

 

Once the flight is completed, the crucial analysis phase follows. Here we convert thermal anomalies into actionable findings. The most common defects we identify are:

Defect Cause Impact on Yield
1. Hotspots Defective cell or broken bypass diode. Limits current through the entire string; can pose a fire hazard.
2. Shading & Contamination Shadow from objects or heavy dirt accumulation. Direct yield loss in the affected area.
3. PID (Potential Induced Degradation) Voltage differences and long-term moisture exposure. Gradual but significant and permanent power loss.
4. Wiring Faults Poor connections in junction boxes. Local heat loss, indicating resistance and efficiency loss.
Here is a clear example of defective diodes, where no visual damage is visible on the “normal” photo.

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Why Older Solar Panel Installations Are at Risk – and How Thermal Imaging Makes a Difference

Solar panels are built to last, but that doesn’t mean they keep performing at their best. Especially older installations (10+ years) are more likely to suffer from hidden defects, reduced output, or even safety issues. A thermal drone inspection offers a fast and safe way to detect these problems.

Older panels: weak or missing bypass diodes

Modern solar panels come with bypass diodes that help redirect current around faulty cells or zones. But older panels — often pre-2010 — don’t always have them, or they no longer function properly.

  • Some panels have no bypass diodes at all.

  • Others have cheap or damaged diodes after years of use.

  • Some were poorly designed, so the diode doesn’t activate as it should.

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Why new solar panel installations should also be tested

At Droneview.be, we regularly inspect older solar panel installations to detect defects and efficiency losses. However, we recently encountered an unexpected issue at a client’s site: a brand-new installation from November 2024 had three panels with faulty cells. This proves that testing is not only essential for older systems but also for new installations.

Defects in new panels: how is this possible?

Although you’d expect new solar panels to work flawlessly, defects can occur during manufacturing, transport, or installation. The three defective panels in this installation had damaged cells, which can lead to:

  • Reduced energy output: A single defective panel can negatively impact the entire string’s performance.
  • Higher internal resistance and heat buildup: This can shorten the panel’s lifespan and pose safety risks.
  • Potential warranty issues: If defects are not detected in time, claiming warranty replacements can become more complicated.

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Green Certificates for Solar Panels: The Importance of Regular Inspections for Older Installations

Solar panels have a long lifespan, but after around 15 years, defects may start to occur that reduce the efficiency of your installation. Especially if your solar panels are receiving green certificates, it is essential to monitor the output and detect defects in a timely manner. This is particularly important for systems that will still be eligible for certificates in the next five years, as the output of defective panels affects the number of certificates you can claim.

The Impact of Defects on Output

Solar panels that are 15 years old often show defects such as damaged cells or faulty diodes. These defects can cause one or more panels to no longer function optimally, which lowers the output of the entire string. This loss can be significant, especially in older installations, which means that fewer green certificates will be received, resulting in lower income from these certificates.

Why an Inspection is Essential

A regular inspection can detect these defects and help maximize the output of the installation. By identifying the losses, necessary repairs or replacements can be made. This prevents further reduction in output and ensures that you can still benefit from the full value of your green certificates.

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Thermal Inspections for Swimming Pools

Swimming pools are a valuable investment, but they are also prone to hidden issues such as leaks, heat loss, or defects in heating systems. These problems can increase energy costs and cause serious structural damage. Thermal inspections using drones provide an innovative solution to quickly and accurately detect these issues without intrusive investigations.

Why Choose Thermal Inspections for Swimming Pools?

  1. Detection of Leaks and Moisture Problems
    Pool leaks can be difficult to locate, especially in hidden pipelines or underground systems. Thermal cameras detect temperature variations, making even the smallest leaks visible.
  2. Optimizing Heating Systems
    For heated pools, a thermal inspection identifies inefficiencies, such as uneven heat distribution or faulty heating elements. This leads to lower energy costs and an optimally heated pool.
  3. Preventive Maintenance
    Regular thermal inspections can reveal potential issues before they escalate and become costly to repair. This prolongs the pool’s lifespan and saves money in the long run.
  4. Time and Cost Efficiency
    Instead of draining or dismantling the pool for investigation, a drone with a thermal camera can inspect the pool while it remains in use, saving time and minimizing disruption.

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Solar Panel Testing: Uncovering Defective Cells with Droneview.be

On the Droneview.be blog, we’re excited to share our experience with a recent thermal inspection of solar panels for a client.

Solar panels are exposed daily to various weather conditions and factors that can affect performance. Regular inspections are essential to ensure optimal energy production and to quickly detect any defects.

For this inspection, we used our DJI M210 drone, equipped with the XT2 thermal camera. This setup allowed us to capture precise images that revealed any temperature variations on the panels. Thanks to thermal imaging, we can easily detect hotspots, which often indicate malfunctions in one or more solar cells.

During this test, we identified a noticeable hotspot on one panel, caused by a malfunctioning cell. This defective cell could have led to a loss in energy output if it had gone undetected. By pinpointing the issue through photos and reports, the client was able to take specific corrective action, preventing further energy losses.

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