Solar farm inspections

Every panel, checked from above.

Thermal and photo flights over the whole array, written up as a ranked findings report. Each issue is pinned on a site map and paired with the image that shows it.

Radiometric thermal + photoSensor
Clear, strong sunConditions
Ranked findings reportOutput

What we look for

The faults that cost output.

Two engineers in hard hats reviewing a tablet beside ground-mounted solar panels
Hotspots and hot cells
Cells running hotter than their neighbors show plainly in thermal. We flag each one with its temperature difference and location.
Bypass diode failures
A failed diode leaves one substring of a module running hot. It is a simple fix once someone knows which module.
String and combiner outages
A whole string or combiner running cold is not producing. We mark the run, so your crew goes straight to the right box.
Cracked and broken glass
High-resolution photos catch cracks, shattered glass and delamination that thermal alone can miss.
Soiling, vegetation and shading
Bird droppings, dust, weeds and tree lines all cut output. We mark where the shading falls and which rows need cleaning or cutting.
Tracker misalignment
On tracking sites, rows that sit off angle stand out in the photo set. We note which ones.

The written report

Every finding, ranked and pinned.

Each issue is classified, ranked by severity and pinned on a site map, with the thermal and photo pair that shows it. The PDF is built to hand straight to your repair crew.

  • Every issue classified and ranked by severity
  • Site map with each finding pinned
  • Thermal and photo pair for every finding
  • Spreadsheet export for work orders
  • Raw imagery from the flight
Sample thermal image of solar rows, with four heat anomalies marked Sample findings
Sample findings: an illustration of how findings are listed. Your report covers every row on your site.
IDFindingSeverityLocation
A-01 String outage High Row 22, combiner 4
A-02 Bypass diode failure Medium Row 14, string 3
A-03 Hotspot cell Medium Row 9, module 31
A-04 Soiling Low Row 3, modules 1 to 12

What lands in your account

The report and everything behind it.

Dated by flight and kept together, ready to download or pass to your team.

  • Findings report, PDF

    Every issue classified by type, ranked by severity and written in plain language, ready for your O&M crew as is.

  • Site map with every issue pinned

    Each finding marked on the array map, so a tech walks straight to the right module.

  • Thermal and photo pairs

    For each finding, the thermal frame and the matching photo side by side.

  • Spreadsheet export

    The same findings as a sheet, ready to drop into your work-order system or asset register.

  • Raw imagery

    Every thermal and photo frame from the flight, yours to keep in your account.

How we fly

Strong sun, steady pattern.

Flown in strong sun

Thermal faults only show under load, so we fly in clear, strong sun near midday and move the flight if the forecast slips.

Radiometric infrared plus photo

Every pass pairs a radiometric thermal frame with a matching high-resolution photo, so each reading has a temperature and a picture to confirm it.

Part 107 pilots, insured

An FAA Part 107 certified pilot plans and flies every flight, with airspace checked first, and nobody walks the array.

Questions

Before you book.

Something else? Email support@ithacadrone.com.

Is the report an engineering certification?

No. It is a drone inspection report that tells you where the faults are and how serious they look. It is not a stamped engineering document, and it does not replace electrical testing where you need it.

How big a site can you fly?

From a commercial rooftop array to a ground-mount farm. Larger sites may take more than one flight day, and the quote spells that out.

Can you inspect on a schedule?

Yes. A thermal pass each year plus a photo check after storms is a common plan. Tell us the cadence and we quote it as one package.

What if it is cloudy on the day?

We move the flight. Thermal under cloud gives weak contrast, and we would rather reschedule than send you a report that hides faults.

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