Solar PV Drone Inspection
Drones - the latest weapon in the battle to make solar super-efficient?
They seem to be popping up everywhere these days.
Companies such as Amazon have suggested the day may soon come when they are delivering your parcels.
They are also being used by militaries around the world. And you often see them whirring overhead at concerts or major events, capturing aerial footage of the crowds.
Drones have quickly become a staple of modern life, with innovators constantly looking at what they can be used for next.
Could they be the key to protecting and invigorating your Solar PV?
The next big solar innovation
A key aspect of the solar industry is that people place their panels in the place that best suits them.
For farms and commercial operations, this could be on the roof of barns or office blocks.
For those with large-scale operations, it could be on roaming hills, in the countryside, far away from the owner.
For panels on roofs, it has often needed scaffolding to allow us to inspect them, and then tackle issues – which can be expensive and often logistically difficult.
Those in the countryside can also prove tricky to keep a constant eye on, when they are far away from the owner’s home.
Also, when there is a huge number of them, as there are in many large-scale solar farms.
How drones can monitor Solar PV
At HIT Energy Services, we pride ourselves on being innovators who are constantly looking at ways to drive the industry forward.
Alongside our game-changing HIT Energy Guard monitoring technology, we have come up with a number of leading advances.
The infra-red capabilities of many drones are incredibly accurate in detecting things such as hot spots on panels.
These could help highlight potential fail spots.
Drone technology could be the key to maximising your gains.
“Making Solar PV as efficient as possible and generating as much energy as possible for you is a passion of ours,” said Simon Hopkins of HIT Energy Services.
“We want to use every tool at our disposal in the pursuit of this.
“We are seeing drones being used for more and more everyday tasks, and they are now becoming incredibly intelligent, so we believe they are an obvious solution for some of the most difficult issues associated with solar.”
What is a solar PV thermal drone inspection?
A solar PV thermal drone inspection uses specialist drones equipped with high-resolution infrared cameras to detect hidden faults within solar panels. Temperature differences reveal issues that may not be visible during a standard visual inspection, allowing problems to be identified before they reduce energy generation.
Why should commercial solar systems be inspected?
Over time, solar panels can develop faults caused by ageing, weather exposure, manufacturing defects or electrical failures. Regular drone inspections help identify these issues early, reducing downtime, protecting your investment and maintaining optimum energy production.
What faults can thermal imaging detect?
Thermal drone inspections can identify:
- Hot spots
- Failed or damaged solar cells
- Faulty bypass diodes
- Loose electrical connections
- String faults
- Damaged connectors
- Panel degradation
- Potential fire risks
- Areas affected by shading or heavy soiling
Early identification often prevents more expensive repairs later.
How often should a solar farm have a drone inspection?
Most commercial solar PV systems benefit from an annual thermal inspection. Sites with older equipment, high energy demands or previous performance issues may require more frequent inspections as part of a planned maintenance programme.
What happens after the inspection?
Following the survey, you’ll receive a detailed report highlighting any thermal anomalies, their likely causes, photographic evidence and recommendations for remedial work. If repairs are required, our maintenance team can also help rectify identified issues to restore system performance.
Why choose HIT Energy Services?
Unlike many inspection providers, HIT Energy Services has extensive experience operating and maintaining commercial solar assets—not just inspecting them.
Our founder, Simon Hopkins, has worked within the UK solar industry since the early commercial rollout, and our engineers now support hundreds of solar PV systems nationwide. Alongside thermal inspections, we also provide monitoring, maintenance, repowering and consultancy services, giving us a complete understanding of how to maximise long-term system performance.
Can drone inspections improve return on investment?
Yes. Identifying underperforming panels, faulty strings or developing electrical issues early helps maintain maximum energy generation and reduces the risk of prolonged production losses. Regular inspections can therefore contribute to improved system efficiency and better long-term financial returns.
Do you inspect solar farms across the UK?
Yes. HIT Energy Services carries out thermal drone inspections for commercial rooftop installations, ground-mounted solar farms and utility-scale renewable energy projects throughout the UK, supporting clients with inspection, maintenance and ongoing asset optimisation.
