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Industry

Solar panel success: Why drone inspections are your essential first step

The path to sustainable energy begins before installing the first solar panel to your roof. At Vantage UAV, we’ve seen how pre-installation roof inspections can make the difference between a successful solar investment and costly repairs, complications and waste.

Protecting your investment

Your rooftops are the foundation for your solar panels. Just as you wouldn’t build on unstable ground, installing solar panels on a compromised roof can lead to significant issues, quickly turning a well budgeted project into a costly overspend. Our advanced drone inspection services provide a thorough assessment of your roof’s condition, identifying potential problems that could impact solar installation and longevity.

"Prevention is better than a cure, and more cost-effective too" explains Grace Hammond from Vantage UAV. "We've worked with numerous homeowners and housing associations where early drone inspections revealed critical roof issues that, if left undetected, would have led to expensive and challenging repairs post-installation. Instead, we were able to identify potential problems allowing them to be addressed first, saving our clients both time and money in the long run.”

Commercial drone inspecting a solar panel array, capturing high-resolution and thermal imagery during a solar panel inspection.

Beyond installation: Ongoing maintenance

The capabilities of our drone inspections don’t just stop at pre-installation checks. Once your solar panels are in place, regular maintenance inspections become crucial for maximising your investment. Solar panels, while robust, can develop issues that are not visible to the naked eye. Microcracks, cell fractures, and other damage can significantly impact both performance and lifespan.

Using our advanced thermal imaging technology, our drones can detect:

  • Microscopic cracks in solar cells
  • Hot spots indicating reduced efficiency
  • Connection issues affecting performance
  • Physical damage from weather or debris

These issues, when caught early, can often be addressed before they lead to significant power output losses or complete panel failure. Planned inspections can ensure performance remains optimal, and the expected return on investment is achieved.

Solar panel showing a visible crack and discoloured area, indicating heat irregularity and damage.

Documentation and compliance benefits

The benefits of drone-based solar panel inspections extend beyond maintenance. For home owners, our detailed reports provide valuable documentation for warranty claims and insurance purposes. For housing associations, the benefits extend to compliance requirements. The high-resolution, time-stamped imagery and thermal data offers comprehensive insights into a house’s solar health, enabling informed decision-making about maintenance and replacement.

Conclusion

The future of sustainable housing relies not just on installing green technology, but on maintaining it effectively. By incorporating drone inspections into your solar journey means you're protecting your investment and ensuring its long-term success.

Protect your solar investment!

Get in touch if you’d like to learn more about how our drone inspection services can support your solar panel projects, from initial assessment through to ongoing maintenance.

Chat with Grace?

Book a call with us to discuss your requirements and have any questions answered.

Grace Hammond
Head of Services - Built Environment