DroneTech revolutionizes the monitoring and optimization of photovoltaic power plants
DroneTech brings a groundbreaking innovation in the field of solar power plant inspection—fault identification using drones equipped with thermal cameras and subsequent analysis using artificial intelligence. This innovative service offers owners of photovoltaic (PV) panels fast and, above all, highly accurate data collection. This data is then used to optimize performance and ensure efficient maintenance of the power plant.
Source: Dronetech
Inspection and analysis of photovoltaic panels
Inspecting photovoltaic panels (PV) using drones with thermal imaging cameras brings a whole new level of efficiency, safety, and economy. “We quickly and reliably identify and locate photovoltaic panel faults with very high accuracy. We can easily detect several times more faults than current market practices allow. This helps owners of photovoltaic power plants avoid high financial losses, which can reach hundreds of thousands of crowns per year,” says Ondřej Staněk, commercial director and co-founder of DroneTech, describing the advantages of the new procedures.
“In this particular case, after a standard ground patrol inspection that detected 37 faults, our inspection identified 295 problems. This represented a loss of 2.18%—in the case of the tested equipment, this represented an annual energy loss of more than 39,000 kWh, which roughly corresponds to the average annual energy consumption of 13 households,” said Staněk.
Fast and reliable data collection
One of the key advantages of the service is fast and reliable data collection using industrial and highly specialized drones.
“The greatest added value in data collection is speed, accuracy, and reliability. The entire process is also safer, and thanks to the use of the same flight paths, the collected data is consistent. Each photovoltaic panel is captured in multiple images, and tens of thousands of photos are evaluated pixel by pixel using artificial intelligence,” explains Martin Doležal, technical manager and co-founder of DroneTech.
Accurate evaluation and protection against loss or fire
Using an artificial intelligence algorithm, DroneTech brings revolutionary accuracy to the detection and localization of anomalies on photovoltaic panels. Once problems are detected, the owner can quickly take corrective action with a service company or outsource the necessary panel maintenance to an external company, minimizing the risk of loss and increasing the safety of the equipment.
“We don’t deal with the natural degradation of panels, but with actual malfunctions. Our technology allows us to identify specific faults, such as hot spots and various mechanical damages, which can lead to significant losses or even safety hazards. And sometimes even fire,” explains Doležal.
Risk reduction and cost savings for service companies
DroneTech also offers its services to service companies, which can save time and money on thermal imaging inspections, as the inspection is not carried out by several people physically on site, but by drones. Images are quickly obtained within a few minutes, reducing the potential negative impact of weather on data collection.
DroneTech’s services are state-of-the-art and currently have no competition on the Czech market in the field of photovoltaic power plant inspections. The main advantage is that Drone Tech detects several times more faults, thus providing a realistic estimate of the power plant’s losses.
Subsequent targeted servicing then ensures more efficient performance. DroneTech uses industrial drones with state-of-the-art data collection technology, high-resolution cameras, and redundant systems with the highest safety certification. It also holds an operating license issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
