Assessing Damage to Solar Farm using Photographs and Thermal Image from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

This research presented the assessment of solar panel damage using photographic and thermal images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the area of a ground-based solar power generation project or solar farm with a maximum production capacity of 502.2 kWp in the area of the President's Office, Princess of Naradhiwas University. The objectives were to assess the environment, dirtiness, overall and individual damage to the panels, and deterioration of the solar modules inside the panels, which were caused by the installation and use throughout the 5 - year period of the project.  The survey flights could classify the damage to the solar panels in the project, such as cracks in the solar panel windshield, environment dirtiness from the solar panel, shading from weeds on the solar panels, internal corrosion (rusting) and peeling, and the occurrence of hot spots inside the solar panels, etc. The use of UAV could help save time and costs in surveying and inspection operations in the case of large-scale projects. In addition, the results of the survey could be used to plan preventive maintenance correctly and appropriately in the future.