UAV Thermal Imaging for Solar Panel Assessment

Abstract One of the most significant sustainable energy sources in recent times is solar energy. A high-rise building’s solar panels are usually costly and require considerable time to inspect. The installation of solar panels using monocrystalline solar cells at Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment (FKAAB) building is a notable step towards the university’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. This study utilized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with thermal imaging technology to inspect solar panels at the FKAAB building. UAV with thermal camera captured images of defects at FKAAB and produced orthographic images of the temperature of the solar panel. The surface temperatures of solar panels that are normally functioning range from 45°C to 49°C, while those that are abnormally operating range from 50°C to 55°C. This result found that 97.8% of the panel are below 50°C, and only 2.2% of the panel exceeded 50°C. It shows that most of the panel is within the normal condition. It is concluded that the solar panel inspection technique utilizing UAV-based thermal imaging can be helpful for monitoring and safety checks.