Use of drones in solar installations

 

The drone in the present, became a useful and support tool for activities associated with photovoltaic installations.

Among these activities, flights stand out to recognize key details for the installation design phase, topographic survey for new installations or expansion of the existing one, inspections, photographs and thermal images of the structures and possible obstacles.

Data collection from the air contributes to the detection of accident risk factors, facilitating the taking of corrective measures in the work prevention plan.

The use of digital scanners makes it possible to obtain accurate and better quality detailed digital terrain models than traditional photographic techniques. Drones are capable of reaching places that are difficult to access in a safe way for technicians who avoid accident factors due to falls, crashes, overturning, or twisting, when traveling to environments that are difficult to access.

In domestic installations, the use of drones allows the collection of thermal images or photographs that provide us with detailed information on the state of the roof or structure. For example, the presence of wiring lines, tree branches, bird nests, rust or cracks in structures, deficiencies in access ladders... are detected. This detection allows proposing procedures adapted to the environment and carrying out the work in safe conditions.

However, with reality becoming stranger than fiction, we are sure to soon be using special heavy-duty drones to transport boxes of solar panels to remote regions or off-road locations.

Lubio Lenin Cardozo, installer of photovoltaic systems