A photo taken by a drone of rooftop solar panels during an inspection

Rooftop Solar Panel Inspections Inspecting your Solar PV with drones helps to keep them running at maximum efficiency

Ensure your panels are working perfectly

Rooftop Solar Panels can be a smart investment or a costly liability. Poorly installed or malfunctioning panels can damage your roof. Drone inspections are a low-risk, no-fuss way of confirming that your panels are in working correctly, as well as while ensuring their maximum energy output. Engineers With Drones also assess your panels' condition, giving you peace of mind about their safety.

A PV solar array on a roof being inspected
Locate Irregularities

Locate Irregularities

Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras allow you to accurately assess the condition of a solar array. Infrared photographs can be used to detect extreme temperature differences that can locate otherwise unseen issues, such as concealed moisture damage and heat leakage.

A thermal image of solar panels on a roof
Greater Detail

Greater Detail

In comparison to traditional this services, drones provide a higher degree of detail. High-definition cameras and cutting-edge zoom lenses pick up the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed, such as missing connections, rust, or damaged insulators, while at the same time keeping personnel safe and on the ground.

A water heating solar array on a roof
Remote Monitoring

Remote Monitoring

The use of drone 3D modelling technologies gives you the opportunity to inspect a digital twin of a solar array from the comfort of your office. This detailed replica can be inspected at a minute level, allowing you to make a record of any areas that are in need of attention. Issues such as poorly executed repairs, general damage and other potential weaknesses can be shared with your employees, suppliers and other shareholders at the click of a button.

Solar panels on a tiled roof
Details from a Safe Distance

Details from a Safe Distance

Our drones can capture the minute details of any object, without having to touch or even get close to it. Objects that once had to be shut down, climbed and traversed can now be inspected and monitored in real time more quickly, and with zero risk to personnel.

Why choose us?

Qualified engineers

As licensed engineers, we also provide the expertise, understanding, and knowledge necessary to carry out a thorough inspection, with deliverables to match. Our skilled engineers are at the ready.

IAA certification

The Irish Aviation Authority has awarded Engineers with Drones full approval in accordance with the most recent European-wide EASA regulations.

Latest technology

To ensure that you always get the best possible service and cutting-edge deliverables, we purchase the most up-to-date drone technology as soon as it's available.

Rigorous HSSE standards

The operation of Engineers With Drones is governed by a comprehensive HSSE system. Our guiding principles are to reduce risk through rigorous assessment, and to maintain a high level of staff education and training.

Fully insured

We have 6.5 million in public and product liability insurance, and 13 million in employers' liability insurance. Engineers with Drones are fully insured to fly wherever you need.

Based in Ireland

As we're situated in Ireland, we can respond to your needs quickly, with zero travel complications.

First-class deliverables

As seasoned engineers in the field, we are aware of the trouble that shoddy reports and deliverables can create. For this reason, we provide you with exactly what you require.

Quick turnaround times

Thanks to our fast turnaround times, your entire project can be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, without any compromise in the quality of your deliverables.

4K and VR Footage

In addition to quadrupling the resolution of an HD camera, 4K also gives you quicker frame rates, incredible contrast variations, and expanded colours. VR video takes the level of immersion and clarity to the next level.

Why use a drone for your rooftop solar inspection?

Cost-efficient

Drone inspections take up less of your manhours and resources than traditional inspections, giving you a faster and more budget-friendly return on your investment.

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Thermal IR technology and ultra HD allow our engineers to get a view that it not available to the naked eye. From a safe distance, we can find defects and insights that are only visible with a drone.

No risk to your assets

Our equipment won't touch or even go close to your assets. Our high-resolution cameras use optical zoom to give extreme close-up views while staying a safe distance away.

Detect hidden problems

We use cutting-edge technologies to detect problems that would otherwise be invisible. These include ultra-HD photography/video, LIDAR and thermal imaging.

No scaffolding or ropes

Drone technology is cheaper, safer and more reliable than traditional methods such as scaffolding, cherry-pickers and ropes. It's also quicker and less labour intensive. We will bring everything we need and be out of your way that same day.

Safety

The safety of your personnel and our own is paramount, and we place it at the forefront of our company culture. Ask us about our HSSE systems and practices.

Greater Accuracy

Drones capture high-quality, impartial information that gives you an exact assessment on the status and needs of your asset.

Real-time consulting

Sometimes the brief can change even in real-time. If need be, you can be stood there right next to the drone operator, directing them as the situation develops.

Regular inspection is essential to longevity

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.

Solar panel on a roof inspected by a drone
Get a closer look without the hassle, delays or risk

Catch minor issues before they become significant

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.

Drone inspection avoids unnecessary risks

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.

A close up photo of the galvanised structural steel of an electrical pylon

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Catching defects early

At high temperatures, solar panels become less efficient. Defects can cause them to break down, or cause damage to the surrounding area. We use thermal imaging cameras to detect heat variations and hot spots from a distance. Catching defects early minimises the risk of breakdowns.

Let's talk

How does it work?

Reach out and tell us your idea

We take emails, phone calls, messages, everything! If you are unsure of what's possible we are happy to advise, the most important thing is to get in touch. We would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Start at the end

With drones, it's best to begin where you want to end up. What sort of deliverable would you like when it's all finished? If you are not sure then we can advise. We can look at what you would like and work backwards from there.

Scope of work and set a price

Once we have agreed on what is to be done, the scope of work is set and a price is agreed upon. We feel it is vital that everyone knows what they are getting and what they are paying for it. There should be no confusion.

Permits and other paperwork

Once we have confirmation you are happy to proceed, we start the ball rolling. We organise things like RAMS, site permits, Air Traffic Control clearance and much more. Basically, we generate everything needed to turn up on-site with all our ducks in a row.

Field Operations

Next, we do the work on site. We have the gear, we have the know-how, so now it's time to get the job done. This can sometimes be affected by the weather, but for the most part, we get the job done on the date specified.

Post Processing

This is where we take what we generated in the field and turn it into a final deliverable for you. This can be anything from the raw data itself, to fully processed Orthophotos, condition reports, CAD line work or thermal imagery.

Handover

The final step is the handover of the deliverables. We tend to use a cloud-based service, so you can access your data anywhere. We can also tie into your existing systems if that is more convenient.

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Our Services Not just photos from the sky

Spoiler alert: we don't do weddings! We're professional engineers who have learned to fly drones really well. If you're looking for a photo of your garden or a swooshing shot of your wedding reception, we're probably not the right people for you. But if you need an engineer's eyes and experience, combined with next-generation UAV technology and industry leading deliverables, then you've come to the right place.

Drone Photography

Capture high-quality imagery of your assets from never before seen vantage points.

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Thermal Imaging

Detect abnormalities within your assets that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

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Photogrammetry

Capture real-world locations and assets digitally, for quicker and more cost-efficient inspections.

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What technology do we use for rooftop solar inspections?

We purchase the latest drones as they come on the market to ensure you are getting the highest quality service from us at all times. Here is a quick look at what we would be most likely to use for a typical drone rooftop solar inspection.

Our equipment
DJI MatriceM300 RTK M300 RTK by DJI

Our flagship drone: The M300 RTK by DJI is the premier enterprise-level inspection drone on the market. With a flight time of up to 55 minutes, lots of built-in redundancy, and a host of payloads to choose from, this is our go-to UAV for inspection work. When coupled with the Zenmuse H20T camera, it is capable of safely inspecting high-value assets at a stand-off range.

  • Drone
  • Camera
  • Thermal Imaging
  • Ultra HD
  • Long range
More info
Our equipment
DJIZenmuse H20T Zenmuse H20T by DJI

One payload with a multitude of sensors. The H20T is specifically designed for conducting inspections of high-value assets. When coupled with the Matrice M300 aircraft, the various sensors on the H20T give the operator a wide array of options to get the best imagery possible.

  • Camera
  • Thermal
  • High-resolution
  • Wide-angle
More info

People often ask us about...

Our Equipment
Check out our cutting-edge drone equipment and find out what it can do for you.

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IAA Certification
We are fully accredited by the Irish Aviation Authority to the latest European-wide EASA regulations.

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HSSE
Health and safety is a core principle of our business. Find out how we put these principles into practice.

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Fully insured
We hold 13m employers' liability insurance and 6.5m public & product liability insurance.

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Deliverables
Tell us what you need in your inbox, and we will start planning from there. Fully customised.

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Expert engineers
We are experienced engineers with strong technical backgrounds.

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Irish location
Based in Ireland, we'll be with you quickly - ready with all the correct permits.

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The Weather
Find out how we factor the weather into when we provide drone services.

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