Module-level defect detection — no shutdown, no delay
Solar farms operate under high irradiance, dust loading and elevated ambient temperatures — conditions that accelerate module degradation and make thermal anomalies more pronounced. Drone thermal inspection identifies faults early, before they contribute to yield loss, safety concerns or long-term asset degradation.
Cenpace delivers radiometric thermal and RGB drone inspection for utility-scale PV assets. Findings are classified, GPS-located and reported in a structured format ready for O&M teams, asset managers and lender engineers.
What we detect
Module defects
- Cell hotspots
- Bypass diode failure
- Delamination
- Possible PID-related thermal patterns
- Crack-related hotspot patterns
- Visible module surface abnormalities
String & plant issues
- Open-circuit strings
- String-level underperformance
- Soiling patterns
- Shading anomalies
- Inverter thermal signature
- DC cable and junction box anomalies
What we deliver
✓
Full-array radiometric thermal flight
✓
RGB visual inspection flight
✓
GPS-tagged defect register
✓
Annotated thermal imagery per defect
✓
Defect severity classification (critical/medium/low)
✓
Module and string count by defect type
✓
Soiling pattern and affected area mapping
✓
GIS overlay map of fault locations
✓
Defect prioritisation based on potential performance impact
✓
Prioritised O&M action recommendations
✓
Structured PDF inspection report
✓
IEC 62446-3 aligned reporting
Inspection process
01
Pre-inspection site review
Plant layout, string map, site access and irradiance conditions are reviewed. The inspection window is planned for suitable irradiance, weather and wind conditions.
02
Thermal and RGB flight
Systematic drone flights are carried out using radiometric thermal and high-resolution RGB cameras. Inspection is normally completed without plant shutdown.
03
Radiometric data analysis
Thermal data is reviewed based on temperature differentials and anomaly patterns. Findings are classified in line with IEC 62446-3 reporting structure where applicable.
04
GPS tagging and registration
Findings are GPS-located and linked to plant layout, module areas or string references where available.
05
Report delivery
A structured report is delivered with defect register, GIS map, annotated imagery and O&M action recommendations.
Relevant experience
Asset Intelligence
Solar PV Thermal Inspection for Utility-Scale PV Plant
Scope
Drone-based radiometric thermal and RGB inspection of utility-scale PV arrays, including hotspot classification, bypass diode issue mapping, soiling pattern review, GPS-registered defect register and O&M action recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Does the plant need to shut down during inspection?
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No. Inspection is carried out during normal plant operation — no generation loss is required.
What irradiance level is needed?
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A minimum of 600 W/m² is required for reliable thermal differentiation. The climate means suitable inspection windows are available year-round.
What does IEC 62446-3 alignment mean in practice?
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We classify anomalies using the temperature differential thresholds defined in IEC 62446-3 — the same standard used by independent engineers and lenders for O&M reviews.
How quickly is the report delivered?
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Standard turnaround is 5–7 working days from completed flight. Expedited delivery can be arranged where required.
Can you inspect BESS or inverter enclosures in the same visit?
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Yes. Thermal inspection of battery enclosures and inverter cabinets can be included in the same mobilisation.
