FAQ: Drone Inspections for Solar Farms

1. What is solar farm thermography and why is it critical for O&M teams?

Solar farm thermography uses thermal imaging from drones to detect heat anomalies in photovoltaic panels that indicate faults such as cracked cells, diode failures, or string outages. By identifying these issues early, Skyspec Drone Services helps operators prevent costly energy losses and reduce unplanned maintenance — typically improving site efficiency by 2–5%.

2. How does Skyspec Drone Services work with Sitemark to improve inspection results?

Skyspec partners with Sitemark, a global leader in aerial analytics, to process and analyse inspection data. Captured images are uploaded to Sitemark’s AI-driven analytics platform, which automatically detects defects, classifies severity, and creates digital twins for ongoing monitoring. The result: rapid actionable insights, fully compatible with your CMMS or maintenance systems.

3. What types of defects can drone thermography detect on solar farms?

Thermal and RGB imaging reveal a range of common issues, including:

Hotspots from cell or solder failures
Inactive strings or bypass diode faults
Tracker alignment errors and shading
Soiling, vegetation, or PID (Potential Induced Degradation)
Cracks, delamination, or loose connections

Skyspec’s AI-verified reports highlight defect type, severity, and location — enabling prioritised maintenance.

4. How often should solar farms be inspected with drones?

Most operators conduct annual or bi-annual inspections for full-site health checks. However, in harsh Australian climates (dust, heat, or high humidity), quarterly or post-storm scans can significantly reduce long-term degradation. Skyspec tailors inspection schedules based on asset age, region, and risk exposure.

5. How are wind turbine inspections performed using drones?

Wind turbine inspections use high-resolution RGB and thermal cameras to capture every blade surface and tower section. Skyspec drones safely inspect turbines from the ground, avoiding rope access or crane costs. Partnering with Scopito, we deliver AI-assisted defect reports identifying cracks, lightning strikes, erosion, or overheating components.

6. What are the main advantages of drone inspections compared to manual or helicopter surveys?

Drone inspections are safer, faster, and more cost-effective. Compared to ground or helicopter methods, Skyspec can:

Cut inspection time by up to 70%
Capture millimetre-level resolution images
Operate under CASA-compliant procedures with no site disruption
Deliver repeatable data for change detection and trending

This precision and repeatability make drones the preferred choice for proactive O&M programs.

7. What deliverables does Skyspec provide after an inspection?

Each inspection includes:

Geo-referenced thermal and RGB maps
Sitemark analytics dashboard with digital twin visualisation
Defect classification and prioritisation report
Optional PDF summaries and GIS shapefiles for engineering integration

All reports are accessible via secure cloud portals or exported directly into client systems.

8. Can Skyspec integrate its data into existing asset management platforms?

Yes. Sitemark and Scopito analytics integrate with most Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and work order platforms. Skyspec can configure automated exports to your internal systems — ensuring findings translate directly into actionable maintenance tasks.

9. How does Skyspec ensure data accuracy and regulatory compliance?

Skyspec operates under CASA-certified procedures with qualified commercial pilots across Australia. We follow Sitemark’s 3 cm geo-accuracy standard, use calibrated thermal sensors, and apply automated flight paths for repeatability. All data is processed securely within compliant cloud environments.

10. What ROI can asset owners expect from adopting drone-based thermography and inspection programs?

Drone thermography typically reduces unplanned maintenance costs by 30–50% and improves annual energy yield by identifying underperforming modules. For wind farms, early detection of blade defects can extend turbine lifespan by several years. By using Skyspec + Sitemark, O&M teams gain measurable ROI through reduced downtime, improved asset health, and faster decision-making.

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By shifting from reactive fixes to regular drone-based checks, operators can maximize performance and catch problems before they escalate." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What types of solar panel issues can drone inspections detect?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Drones equipped with thermal cameras and high-definition sensors can detect a wide range of solar panel issues. We can identify defective panels with hotspots, cracked cells, or failed bypass diodes that cause heat anomalies. Drone inspections also pinpoint string or inverter failures, as well as shading or soiling (dirt buildup) that may be reducing output. Additionally, our aerial surveys reveal wiring and connection problems that could be causing power losses. 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Our process is designed to minimize any disruption to operations—inspections are done quickly and at a safe distance, so your plant continues to run normally during the survey." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does a drone inspection take and when will I receive the results?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A drone inspection can cover a solar farm in a matter of hours, depending on the site’s size. Because drones gather data so efficiently, even large solar farms can often be surveyed in a single day or less. After the flight, we process the data using our AI-powered analytics to identify any faults and generate detailed results. We typically deliver the complete inspection report and analysis — including thermal images, fault maps, and an interactive digital twin of your site — within just a few days of the survey. This fast turnaround enables you to take swift action on any issues identified." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How accurate and reliable are drone-based solar farm inspections?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Drone inspections of solar farms are extremely accurate and reliable. We adhere to a global standard of approximately 3 cm per pixel spatial accuracy in the data, which means the location of each detected fault is pinpointed precisely on your site map. Our thermal imaging is sensitive enough to detect temperature anomalies of around 2°C, so even subtle performance issues can be caught. We also combine AI-driven defect detection with expert human review to ensure all findings are verified and actionable. This blend of technology and human expertise gives you confidence that the inspection results can be trusted for maintenance planning." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who conducts the drone inspections and are they licensed?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "All our inspections are carried out by Skyspec's own team of experienced, licensed drone pilots. We hold the necessary certifications and operate under strict safety standards in compliance with Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. Our team handles all flight planning, risk assessments, and any required approvals or permits for you. By entrusting the job to qualified professionals, we ensure that each drone flight is conducted safely and efficiently, with no risk to your personnel or infrastructure." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use my own analytics platform for the inspection data, or do I have to use Skyspec’s software?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We partner with Sitemark for advanced analysis of solar farm inspection data, but you are not tied to a single software platform. The data we collect — thermal imagery, GPS-tagged maps, and detailed findings — can be delivered in formats compatible with your preferred analytics tools if you have your own system. We recommend Sitemark because it provides a powerful GIS-based digital twin and robust analytics that make it easy to visualize panel defects, track trends, and plan repairs. 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