A thermal drone survey maps the temperature of every panel from the air. Healthy cells read uniform; a failed cell, delaminating panel, or bypass-diode fault shows up as a hot spot against the cooler background. A single flight typically pinpoints exactly which panels are underperforming — without anyone walking on the roof.
Rooftop PV also carries a structural dimension. Poorly installed panels can compromise the roof membrane, and hanging cables or corroded fixings can damage both the array and the building. High-zoom cameras inspect mountings, connections, and wiring from a standoff distance, so the roof is never loaded with foot traffic during the survey.
The timing of an inspection can matter as much as the inspection itself. Workmanship warranties from your installer and equipment warranties from panel and inverter manufacturers both run to fixed dates. If you have any doubts about your array, an inspection shortly before those warranties expire gives you documented evidence while a claim can still be made.
What can a thermal inspection detect that a visual check cannot?
A thermal pass measures the temperature of every panel. Cell failure, delamination, and bypass-diode faults show up as hot spots against the cooler background, and concealed moisture beneath panels appears as a thermal contrast signature. Heat leakage through the roof membrane where fixings have compromised waterproofing is also detectable.
More about thermal imaging inspectionsDo the panels need to be shut down for the inspection?
No. The survey is flown from the air, the array keeps generating throughout, and nobody touches the panels or walks on the roof. There is typically no interruption to the building at all.
Discuss your inspection requirementsWhen is the best time to have an inspection done?
Shortly before a workmanship or equipment warranty expires is a strong choice — the survey documents the array's condition while a claim can still be made. After severe weather is another good moment, when hail or wind may have caused damage that is not visible from the ground.
Discuss your inspection requirementsIs this the same as a solar farm inspection?
No. Rooftop PV is a building-integrated system, so the survey includes the roof structure, mountings, and wiring — not just panel performance. Ground-mounted utility-scale arrays are a separate service with a different scope.
See how solar farm inspections differ
A thermal camera flown over the array measures the temperature of every panel. Healthy cells read uniform; a failed cell, delaminating panel, or bypass-diode fault appears as a hot spot against the cooler background. The same pass can reveal concealed moisture beneath panels and heat leakage through the roof membrane where fixings have compromised waterproofing.
What causes a hot spot on a solar panel?
A shaded or damaged cell can be forced into reverse bias by the rest of the string. The resulting concentrated heat creates a hot spot that can melt solder joints, burn the panel backsheet, or crack the silicon — in severe cases it has been known to start a roof fire. A thermal pass shows these before they become visible.
More about thermal imaging inspectionsWhy do some panels read hotter than others?
An underperforming panel behaves differently from its neighbours. A hot spot indicates concentrated heating at a cell level, while an inactive section can read cooler. Both signatures are flagged in the report for follow-up.
Discuss your inspection requirements
High-definition zoom photography captures mounting hardware from a standoff distance: missing or loose connections, damaged insulators, rust or corrosion on fixings and framing, and panel cracking from impact, weather, or vandalism. Nobody needs to stand on or beside the array to get this detail.
What happens when one panel underperforms in a string?
A weak panel can be pushed into reverse bias by the stronger panels around it. The panel's bypass diodes then route current around the affected section, which typically loses about a third of its output. Bypass diodes degrade with repeated activation, so identifying and replacing the weak panel early protects the whole string.
More about thermal imaging inspectionsWhy do mounting fixings corrode?
Ireland's Atlantic weather keeps outdoor metalwork wet for long periods, and corroded fixings lose strength and can compromise the roof membrane. High-zoom photography records the state of every fixing, so replacement can be planned before failure.
Discuss your inspection requirements
Rooftop PV attaches to the building, so the inspection includes the roof it sits on. Hanging cables can rub against the surface and wear through; poorly routed wiring carries fire risk; fixings can compromise the waterproof membrane. A thermal and visual pass flags these before they become structural or safety problems.
Can a drone survey confirm the roof membrane is intact?
Thermal contrast can indicate heat leakage or trapped moisture where fixings pass through the membrane, and high-zoom imagery shows the condition of flashings and penetrations. A drone pass flags likely problem areas; waterproofing repairs are confirmed by a roofing contractor.
Discuss your inspection requirementsDo solar panels protect the roof or put it at risk?
Installed and wired correctly, they protect the surface beneath them. Routed poorly, cables can rub through and fixings can compromise waterproofing. The survey checks both, so problems are caught before they damage the building.
More about roof inspection standards
For contractors, a post-installation drone survey provides a baseline condition record to support handover and warranties. For owners and insurers, GPS-tagged, timestamped imagery documents storm or hail damage for claims — with panel positions and severity clear in the report.
Warranties make timing part of the decision. An installer's workmanship warranty and the manufacturers' equipment warranties all run to fixed dates, and once they pass, a claim is harder to make. A survey carried out before they expire turns any doubts into dated, documented evidence.
What documentation should a solar installation handover include?
For grant-eligible domestic installations in Ireland, the SEAI Code of Practice requires completion documentation: a Declaration of Works, an EN 62446 inspection, test and commissioning report, and a Safe Electric certificate from a Registered Electrical Contractor. A dated drone survey adds visual condition evidence alongside those records.
More about regulatory requirementsDoes a drone inspection replace the electrical certification?
No. Electrical testing and certification is carried out by a registered electrical contractor. A drone survey provides the visual and thermal condition record that supports commissioning, warranties, and later maintenance.
Discuss your inspection requirementsShould I inspect before a warranty runs out?
If you have any concerns about installation quality or panel performance, yes — a survey shortly before the warranty expires gives you documented evidence while a claim can still be made. After the warranty has passed, the same condition issues are yours to manage without recourse.
Discuss your inspection requirements
Thermal imagery identifies failed cells and bypass-diode faults as hot spots, mapped to panel position in the report.
High-zoom photography shows loose connections, corroded fixings, and cable wear without anyone going on the roof.
Thermal contrast can reveal heat leakage where panel fixings have compromised waterproofing.
GPS-tagged, timestamped imagery documents storm or hail damage for claims.
A baseline survey after installation supports warranties and handover documentation.
Solar PV is a worthwhile investment. But, unnoticed damage reduces its efficiency over time, shrinking your savings. Regular inspection and maintenance of rooftop solar panels is essential to their longevity. Investing in good maintenance practices can ensure they last the intended lifecycle, up to 20 or 30 years. Not doing so can cost you money, and cause a loss of power.
Solar Panels are generally sturdy. Inspections find issues about 10-20% of the time. It's not always necessary to have a person present at the point of inspection. 80-90% of the time, a drone is enough for the entire 'maintenance' process.
Incorrectly installed solar panels can cause damage to themselves and your roof. We inspect the mounting system and the surrounding area for issues. Hanging wires rub against the roof, and timely intervention, stops wires from wearing through. Poor wiring also puts you at risk of fire damage.
Small cracks or dirty areas on your solar panel can reduce the amount of light that's absorbed. Noticing this early ensures your panel is getting as much light as possible. Ignored damage on your solar panel increases the chance of a larger crack forming over time. Drone inspections allow you to catch these early, and repair rather than replace them.
Grant-eligible domestic installations in Ireland follow the SEAI Domestic Solar PV Code of Practice for Installers. Electrical work must be inspected and tested to I.S. 10101, with a Safe Electric certificate issued by a Registered Electrical Contractor, and testing documented to EN 62446.
What is an EN 62446 report?
EN 62446 sets the minimum requirements for system documentation, commissioning tests, and inspection of grid-connected solar systems. The commissioning report records the system design and test results handed to the owner at handover.
More about regulatory requirementsWho signs off the electrical side of an installation?
A Registered Electrical Contractor certifies the electrical installation to I.S. 10101 and issues the Safe Electric certificate. The drone survey is a separate, non-destructive condition record.
More about regulatory requirementsWhere does a drone inspection fit into all of this?
Electrical testing and certification are carried out by a registered electrical contractor. A drone survey provides the dated visual and thermal evidence — roof structure, mountings, wiring, and panel condition — that complements the commissioning paperwork and supports condition tracking over the life of the array.
Discuss your inspection requirementsTell us what you need to know, and we will work with you to design actionable deliverables that give you the outcomes you need.
A typical inspection delivers a thermal survey of every panel with hot spots and moisture signatures mapped to panel position, plus high-zoom photographs of mountings, connections, and any panel damage.
Findings are compiled into a structured condition report with severity classification, ready to hand to a maintenance team, an installer, or an insurer.
Hot spots and moisture signatures mapped to individual panels.
Loose connections, corrosion, and cracking photographed from a standoff distance.
Membrane and mounting issues flagged alongside panel findings.
Severity-classified findings ready for maintenance, warranty, or insurance.
Current inspection methods need someone to climb on your property. This poses a risk of falling, as well as damage to your roof. Burns and electrocution are dangers to anyone interacting with poorly wired panels. Drone inspections reduce the risks, without compromising on detail.
Complex surveys and inspections require more than just a pilot. Our engineers can help you scope your requirements and indentify the right approach.