Tag: solar panels

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Recognising an inverter fault: why a failure can go unnoticed for months

A solar installation rarely sends a loud signal when something stops working. An inverter that drops out, a string that no longer delivers current or a unit that keeps restarting: the installation still looks like one that works. The loss sits in kilowatt-hours you never see. This article explains how such a fault goes unnoticed, what PV monitoring does see, and what it does not.

Why your inverter app does not warn you

The app of your inverter is built to show what is delivered: today’s yield, this month, this year. What is missing, it does not show. If one inverter of an installation with three inverters drops out, the total simply shows a lower number. Anyone who does not compare that number against an expectation every day sees no difference between a cloudy week and a fault.

From practice. On top of that, not every fault raises an alarm. On a commercial installation, two inputs of one inverter were at 0 A, and the brand itself reported nothing. The inverter was running, the rest was delivering, and the loss disappeared in the total. Only those who look per input see it.

Recognising a fault yourself: a short checklist

Without monitoring you can still often suspect a fault early. Do this weekly, or after a period with a lot of sun:

  1. Look at the display or the light of the inverter during the day, in sunshine. An inverter that shows nothing, or a red or flashing message, needs attention.
  2. Compare with a sunny day last week, not with yesterday. Similar sun should give a similar yield. A clearly lower figure without explanation is a signal.
  3. Compare inverters with each other if you have more than one. Two identical inverters on identical panels should deliver about the same.
  4. Look in the app per inverter and per input, not only at the total. One string at 0 A disappears in the total.
  5. Note fault codes, time and a photo of the screen before you do anything. It helps your installer and your warranty.

Do not open an inverter yourself and only reset it as described in the manual. If in doubt: your installer.

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Cheap Drone Inspection? Why a €100 Thermal Scan Costs You Thousands

Drones equipped with high-quality thermal (infrared) cameras are a major benefit for the construction and energy sectors. In no time, they reveal invisible heat leaks in facades and pinpoint defects in solar panels that remain unseen by the naked eye. At least… if the person operating the controls actually knows what they are doing.

Since the introduction of European drone regulations, the barrier to flying has dropped significantly. Anyone can obtain a drone certificate, purchase a radiometric camera, and claim to be an “inspection specialist” the very next day. The result? A massive wave of operators flying quickly over a roof for €100 or €150 and handing over a colorful report.

It sounds like a bargain. But in practice, such a cheap drone inspection often turns out to be an incredibly expensive mistake. Here is how saving €100 can easily cost you thousands of euros in incorrect renovations or lost energy yields.

The Illusion of ‘Pretty Pictures’

Infrared thermography is not ordinary photography. A thermal camera does not capture colors; it registers infrared radiation and translates it into a temperature image. Interpreting those images is pure physics. Factors such as the angle of the shot, material properties (emissivity), sky reflection, wind speed, and even humidity determine whether a measurement is reliable.

When a drone pilot is only trained to keep a device in the air but lacks a structural engineering or thermodynamic foundation, things go wrong inevitably. Software will always generate flashy red and blue spots on the screen. But what do they actually mean?

The difference between a drone pilot and an inspector: A drone license is merely a driver’s license for the platform. It says absolutely nothing about the expertise required to use the camera as a scientific measuring tool.

Two Concerning (and Expensive) Real-World Examples

Faulty interpretations lead directly to wrong decisions. In the field, we regularly come across reports that do not deserve the title “inspection”:

Faulty versus correct thermal drone inspection

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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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