Module hotspots
Localised or broader temperature rises that differ from comparable modules.
Solar PV thermography
Reveal temperature patterns across your solar assets.
Drone-based thermal and visual inspection for rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems, reviewed from an electrical engineering and asset-performance perspective.
Engineering-led inspection
Purpose of inspection
Find abnormalities early—before they become larger performance or safety concerns.
Infrared thermography makes temperature differences visible while the PV system is operating. ThermoSky reviews those patterns together with visual evidence, asset layout and available operating information.
Important interpretation note: A thermal anomaly is not automatically a confirmed defect. Weather, loading, angle, reflection, shading, soiling and system configuration can influence thermal appearance. Findings may require electrical testing or close physical inspection.
RGBThermal
Thermal + visible evidence
Compare heat patterns with the physical asset.
Using matched thermal and RGB imagery helps distinguish a temperature observation from a visible condition issue and provides clearer evidence for maintenance teams.
- Rapid review of extensive module areas
- Asset-level evidence where identification is possible
- Geotagged observations for field follow-up
- Priority-based reporting for maintenance planning
Potential observations
What a solar PV inspection may bring into focus.
The achievable findings depend on the system design, operating condition, site access, weather, sensor capability and agreed inspection scope.
Cell and string patterns
Patterns that may indicate inactive cells, cell strings or current-flow differences.
Bypass-diode behaviour
Thermal signatures that may justify investigation of diode or substring operation.
Junction-box heating
Temperature differences around the rear junction-box area or cable interface.
Connection concerns
Abnormal heating patterns at accessible electrical connections or interfaces.
Shading and soiling effects
Visible and thermal evidence associated with obstruction, deposits or uneven exposure.
Performance-related anomalies
Module groups or areas whose behaviour differs from expected neighbouring assets.
Visible condition observations
Damage, displacement, contamination or other concerns apparent in high-resolution imagery.
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Inspection applications
Suitable for systems of different sizes and configurations.
The mission plan and deliverables are adapted to the physical layout, access constraints, inspection objective and asset records available.
Commercial and industrial rooftops
Support for difficult-to-access arrays, maintenance investigations and periodic condition review.
Ground-mounted solar plants
Efficient coverage of larger module fields, with geotagged observations and inspection maps where applicable.
Targeted performance investigations
Focused review of areas identified through monitoring data, alarms, generation concerns or earlier maintenance records.
Routine condition inspections
Periodic thermal and visual data collection to support preventive-maintenance programmes.
Inspection conditions
Good data depends on appropriate operating and weather conditions.
Thermographic inspections are planned around the objective and recognised limitations. Final timing is confirmed after reviewing the system and site.
Meaningful solar loadingThermal differences are easier to interpret when the array is generating under suitable irradiance.
Suitable environmental conditionsWind, cloud movement, recent rain and rapid weather changes can affect temperature patterns.
Appropriate view and distanceFlight height, angle, reflection and image detail are considered during mission planning.
Useful asset informationLayouts, module references, monitoring data and maintenance records can improve interpretation.
Solar inspection report
Evidence organised for maintenance action.
Report content is agreed before the inspection and may include the following, where feasible and relevant to the scope.
Executive summary
Overview of inspection conditions, limitations and key findings.
Thermal observations
Thermal images, temperature observations and comparison with nearby assets.
Visible evidence
High-resolution imagery and annotations supporting the observation.
Asset location
Geotagged position, row or module reference where identification is possible.
Priority category
An engineering priority to help organise review and follow-up.
Recommended action
Practical next steps, including where confirmation testing may be needed.
Start a conversation
Plan a solar PV thermographic inspection.
Share the system location, capacity, layout and the concern you want to investigate. ThermoSky will help define an appropriate inspection scope.