Arrange a Thermal Solar Panel Survey
Solar Panel Surveys
Solar panels are designed to be low maintenance, however according to consumer group Which, almost a quarter of Solar Panel owners have had a problem with their systems.
To increase the energy efficiency of solar panels, a regular maintenance and soil prevention plan will improve electrical output whilst also increasing the lifespan of the system. A solar panel survey can help you spot issues within your photovoltaic cells to help increase the life span and efficiency of your system.
Well maintained Photo Voltaic Systems can perform up to 30% better than systems which receive little or no attention.
Reduce your reliance on grid fed power, keep your system in its best condition and extend its lifespan through maintenance.
Find the Benefits of Thermal Solar Panel Survey
Thermal Inspection and Survey
Drone Site Surveys offers a solar panel thermal survey using our Level 2 qualified thermographers and the latest drones fitted with thermal and 4K cameras.
As well as identifying issues and anomalies, our surveys also let you know when your system is working at its optimal output. The visual 4K and thermal images also act as a library of data that can be referred back to which can identify hot spots and thermal anomalies.
Using Infra-red and Thermal technology allow us to see (non-invasively) that all elements of the photovoltaic panels are working correctly.
Drone Site Surveys report includes
- Close up UHD 4K images of all PV panels
- Thermally tuned images of all solar panels
- Overview pictures of the surrounding roof area
- Level 2 Thermographer written report with observations
- DSS Reports show 7 clear metrics
Thermal images tell no lies but they do contain secrets unable to be seen by the naked eye.
Non Invasive Thermography can be used as part of a remedial maintenance plan, ensuring that issues are addressed at the earliest opportunity.
As well as surveying photovoltaic energy production systems, we also inspect solar hot water heating systems. There are two types of hot water heating arrangements, flat plate collectors and evacuated tubes. Drone Site Surveys offers UHD 4K and Thermal inspections of all roof type installations.
Contact us now to discover how a solar panel survey can prolong the lifetime of your energy producing panels and also reduce your carbon footprint.
Book a Thermal Solar Panel Inspection
Benefits of Solar as a Renewable
As an island nation, the UK relies on imported energy to meet our needs.
Although we have a long way to go as a nation, as we are switching more and more to renewable energy sources, we are also lowering our carbon emissions.
The UK Government has consistently been making the right noises about reducing carbon, converting to renewables, and saving energy. We are expecting big announcements later in the year when we host the COP26 event in Glasgow, with ambitious 2030 targets to be announced.
Solar Panel Survey – Common Problems
Panel, Inverter, Electrical, Hot Spots, PID (Potential Induced Degradation), Micro Cracks and even Pigeons (other birds also cause issues, but pigeons appear to be attracted most to the shiny panels on our roofs) are the most common problems with Photo Voltaic Systems.
Drone Site Surveys identify all these problems and more with our detailed solar panel surveys by our qualified thermographers.
Get your Questions Answered
Are Solar Panels worth installing in the UK?
Installing solar panel systems in the UK is a significant investment, even though solar installation prices have come down in recent times. There are many variables that dictate the cost of a new installation, however, depending on the system you install, you should see a positive ROI at some point before the setup needs replacing.
If you can afford to convert your energy consumption into a renewable option, there are many advantages. The more people, families, and businesses that convert to renewables, the better it is overall for the environment. We as a nation also become less dependant on our current energy providers (many owned by non-UK corporations) and will gain a sense of energy security over time.
Solar panel systems in the United Kingdom can provide on average around 40% of your home’s electrical energy, although this can be over 100% of your required electricity needs (depending on the size and type of installation).
How We Can All Help
Whether you move to renewables or not, we can all still make a difference in saving energy and reducing carbon. The easiest way to reduce carbon is by not wasting the energy that we already have and import into our homes. We should all do this as a Plan A, as there is no Planet B! According to the Association for Decentralised Energy, the UK wastes £9.5 Billion on energy with the majority being wasted on heating our homes. With minimal effort we can all save energy and some easy fixes could be to
- switch to energy-efficient LED lightbulbs
- seal up any gaps around your home
- turn appliances and lights off when not in use
- wash clothes at lower temperatures
- draughtproof your home
- only use the water needed when boiling your kettle
Simple changes like these can make a huge difference but you can obviously do more. If you want to find out how your building is working from a thermal perspective, then fill in the form below and get booked in for a thermal inspection and survey by our qualified thermographers. Also, find out more tips and tricks to save energy and reduce carbon emissions from the Energy Saving Trust. You can also get some great advice leaflets on conserving energy from the centre for sustainable energy here
The Lifespan of Solar Panels
Generally, solar panels can last 20-25 years, however, technology is improving at a rapid pace and even systems installed only five years ago are using now obsolete tech. Although panels can last 25 years (and even beyond in some cases) they will lose efficiency and output over time. On average solar panels lose approximately 20% efficiency by the time they reach 25 years old
Disposing of Solar Panels
If you were an early adopter of solar as a renewable source, the likelihood is that your equipment will be near or at the end of its lifespan. While we expect our panels to not degrade or delaminate during their lifespan, this causes us issues when the units come to the end of use. The construction of solar panels as a product with a 25-year lifespan means that they are built to last, however, this also makes panels difficult or almost financially impossible to recycle. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimated that in 2016 approximately 250,000 tonnes of solar panel waste was generated. With the growth of renewables over the last 20 years and with the product having an approx 25-year lifespan, IRENA forecasts up to 78 million tonnes of solar panel waste being produced by 2050.
With this in mind, we should do everything we can to keep them in tip-top condition by regular maintenance.
If you’re searching for effective and dependable drone services to improve your business operations, your search ends here at Drone Site Surveys! Our team of seasoned experts can deliver you a diverse array of commercial drone pilots and services designed to cater to your specific needs.
Find out how to reduce your Carbon Emissions