Recently, in urban areas, there has been an increase in solar panels production because of the market demands. No matter how big or small a business is, everyone is inclined to make a smart investment in solar panels. These panels can significantly allow the production of electricity from the sun’s energy, ultimately lowering carbon footprint.
Not just that, solar panels-investments have also saved a lot of money and energy bills. But, you might have heard that everything needs maintenance, no matter electronic or simple household items, supervision is always required. In ancient times, when there were no advancements in technology, sustaining solar panels wasn’t straightforward. One has to climb up the roofs or scaffolding, which is not just time-consuming but also risky.
All thanks to modern technology that has introduced drones, making it a safer option to inspect solar panels, but how can you tell if your solar panels need inspection? Let’s explore signs that would ensure you that it’s high time for a closer look.
Signs Indicating That Solar Panels Need Inspection
Following are the signs that suggest that your solar panels are not working promptly and that a detailed inspection is required.
Energy Drop Out
Solar panel manufacturing companies make sure that they are designed in a way that they can operate at specific energy levels. Hence, it’s evident even when there is a slight drop in energy output. Suppose you are experiencing high bills and low system energy production. In that case, it’s a sign that something is wrong, and the potential reason is an energy dropout. There can be various reasons for the solar panels’ energy drop out. Out of all the reasons, some are:
- Dust, bird droppings, and debris have stashed on the surface of solar panels, resulting in sunlight blockage.
- Loosening of electric connections and their degradation over time
- Changes in the positioning of the panels eventually block sunlight and compromise the overall performance.
Keeping all the above-mentioned bases in mind, drone manufacturing companies have ensured that they can efficiently pinpoint the cause of reduced energy output. Furnished with high-resolution cameras that can capture images, drones are designed to access hard-to-reach areas, making sure that no spot is overlooked.
Damage On Panels
There is doubt that solar panels are devised in a way that they can significantly resist harsh weather conditions. No matter then these weather conditions possess heavy rain, hail, or intense sunlight, they can withstand every environmental change. But, prolonged and consistent heavy atmosphere change can lead to physical damage, scratches, and corrosion, ultimately hindering the performance. Drones are developed to cover the solar panels and identify even the slightest cracks or discolouration by taking close-up shots.
Thermal Irregularities
There is a term called hotspots, which is often forgotten. Hotspots mean that certain areas on panels are comparatively hotter than other areas. Now, there can be various reasons for developing such hotspots over time; this might happen if the panels are shaded or damaged over time.
Neglecting such thermal irregularities does not just affect the performance of panels. However, they can pose safety risks, including fire hazards.
How Drones Detect Hotspots?
It is important to know that drones are equipped with thermal imaging cameras that are ideal for identifying hotspots, as these cameras can generate heat maps of solar panels. Thermal imaging cameras are capable enough to highlight where the temperatures are abnormally high, thus giving you signs that this issue needs to be addressed.
Consistent Shading Issues
At first glance, the word shading seems less harmful as it’s just a shadow. However, the main purpose of solar panels can only be met if there is constant and uninterrupted sunlight on the panels’ surfaces. Constant shading on the surface of solar panels can disrupt the function of producing efficient electricity.
The reasons behind shadings can be:
- The tree might grow taller, ultimately casting a shadow on the panels
- There might be walls of building standing among panels
- Overcast weather, heavy rain, or fog can also cover panels
- Consistent debris, birds dropping, or large leaves can settle on panels, resulting in sunlight blocking.
But you don’t have to worry when drone inspections are at your service. There are many companies out there that are providing commercial and professional aerial inspections, like GIS Drones, that can help you identify shading issues by drone inspection. With the help of bird’s eye drone inception, you can easily pinpoint the obstructions that might cause panel efficiency dropout.
Conclusion
Your job should not be just hiring professionals to insert solar panels. However, you should also invest your time and energy in the proper maintenance of these solar panels with time. Ignorance of appropriate solar panel keeping can lead to efficiency reduction and a rise in electricity bills.
For regular maintenance, drone inspection can help you identify visible damages, hotspots, and even the slightest environmental changes. Read out the signs that we have mentioned above so know when you need to schedule a drone inspection on time.
