Thermal Inspection of Large-Scale Solar Panel Installations in Mechelen
For contractor Noven, Droneview.be conducted a detailed thermal audit on an extensive PV installation in Mechelen. This project focused on detecting production errors and installation damage to ensure the maximum yield of the new installation.
The Challenge: Detecting Defects in New Installations
Even with brand-new solar parks, invisible defects can be present due to transport, placement, or manufacturing errors. For Noven, it was essential to:
- Perform a baseline measurement (zero-point) after installation.
- Locate specific hotspots and defective bypass diodes that are invisible to the naked eye.
- Prepare a technical evidence file for potential warranty claims with the manufacturer.
Our Methodology: High-Res Thermography & Zoom
For this assignment, we deployed the DJI M210, equipped with a dual-camera system:
- Zenmuse XT2 Thermal Camera: For capturing accurate temperature differences across the entire PV field.
- Zenmuse Z30 Zoom Camera: For extremely detailed visual inspection of individual cells without having to step onto the roof.
- Analysis: The installation was divided into zones (A to F) to report anomalies exactly to the installer.
Results & Findings
During the inspection, several critical points were uncovered:
- Production Errors: Repeated hotspots on the same cell lines indicated serial defects.
- Installation Damage: Specific defects pointing to pressure points during transport or assembly.
- Yield Advice: Thanks to rapid detection, defective panels could be replaced specifically before significant yield loss occurred.
Project Details (Thermal Audit)
| Feature | Description |
| Location | Mechelen |
| Client | Noven |
| Equipment | DJI M210 + Zenmuse XT2 & Z30 |
| Application | Commissioning Inspection & Yield Control |