Technical Inspections with Thermal Camera on drones

What is thermography with drones?

Drone thermography, also known as infrared thermography (IRT) or simply thermography, is based on the capture and analysis of the infrared radiation emitted by an object, body or structure as a function of its temperature.

Thermographic cameras are used to obtain images called thermograms that visually represent the temperature variations on the inspected surface.

Although aerial thermography is not a technique originated by drones, the use of drones (UAS) equipped with thermographic cameras has revolutionized this practice. The incorporation of drones has made it possible to perform thermographic inspections in proximity to walls and vertical infrastructures that are difficult to access, thus optimizing aerial work operations and significantly reducing associated costs.

The combination of infrared technology with drones has created a powerful tool for early detection of thermal problems in various industrial applications, buildings and energy systems. Drone thermography has proven to be efficient, effective and accurate, allowing valuable information to be obtained for the diagnosis, maintenance and improvement of different structures and objects.

Thermographic inspection with drones

Thermographic inspection with drones involves the use of thermographic cameras installed on drones (UAS) to quickly document, verify and evaluate thermal anomalies in objects and buildings. This technique has become widely adopted in various sectors, including building and energy, due to its effectiveness in the diagnosis, maintenance and control of installations.

Thanks to drones, it is possible to perform effective thermographic analysis even at considerable distances and heights, which was previously complex or costly with other methodologies. The thermograms obtained provide valuable information on temperature variations on the inspected surfaces.

To obtain satisfactory results in terms of accuracy and reliability, it is essential to have certified operators in thermography, as this discipline requires specialized technical skills and experience. The combination of trained professionals and state-of-the-art technology guarantees a superior quality service, ensuring an accurate and safe analysis of the thermal conditions of the assets and structures evaluated.

Types of technical inspections and measurements

Various inspection and measurement activities can be performed using our drones equipped with a thermal imaging camera:

With our drones equipped with a thermal imaging camera, we can carry out various inspection and measurement activities that are essential in the field of thermography:

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Aerial thermography with drone for building thermal efficiency analysis: This technique is highly effective for evaluating the thermal efficiency of buildings. Through aerial drone flights, we can identify heat dissipation and analyze thermal and photovoltaic systems, providing valuable information to improve energy performance and resource management in buildings.

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Identification of thermal bridges with drones: Thermal bridges are critical points where heat losses occur in a structure. Using our drones with thermographic cameras, we can detect and map these thermal bridges, allowing precise intervention to improve thermal efficiency and comfort in buildings.

These inspection and measurement activities are vital to ensure the proper functioning and safety of infrastructure and assets, and the use of drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras has revolutionized the way these tasks are carried out by providing a fast and accurate aerial perspective.

Drone thermography: what is it and what are its uses?

Drone thermography is a valuable technique that involves the use of an infrared thermal camera mounted on a drone to obtain radiometric stills or videos and specific shots captured using infrared. This methodology is based on infrared thermography (IRT), a non-destructive analysis technique based on the capture of infrared images.

Thermography, in this context, makes it possible to acquire and analyze thermal data from objects with temperatures above absolute zero (-273.14 °C). A thermographic study detects thermal or infrared radiation emitted by objects in the form of electromagnetic waves. The interesting thing is that this technique makes the invisible visible, since the human eye is not able to perceive the infrared directly.

The thermography process works in two stages: first, a thermographic analysis is performed to capture the relevant thermal information, and then the data obtained is analyzed. With the help of a thermographic camera and professional data analysis software, it is possible to identify temperature-related variations and problems in the inspected objects.

Among the multiple uses of drone thermography are inspections of photovoltaic systems, allowing the identification of overheating modules and taking effective and safe measures for their correction. This technology has proven its effectiveness in various fields, providing a unique and accurate perspective for the early detection of thermal problems in infrastructure, buildings and equipment, facilitating proactive maintenance and ensuring optimal asset operation.

When to do thermography with drones

The performance of thermographic inspections with drones on photovoltaic systems and solar panels must be carefully planned, considering the climatic conditions and the seasons of the year to obtain optimal and accurate results. The most advisable times to carry out this technique are spring and autumn, for various technical and operational reasons:

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Temperatures too high: During the summer months, high temperatures can adversely affect thermographic diagnosis. Intense solar radiation and high ambient temperatures can interfere with accurate detection of thermal anomalies, making it difficult to identify potential problems in PV systems. For this reason, measurements on days with high temperatures are taken early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

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Adverse weather conditions: In colder months, such as winter, weather conditions such as humidity, cold and frost can create difficulties in obtaining reliable thermal images. Cold surfaces can generate interferences in thermography, which can affect the proper interpretation of the data.

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Photovoltaic system productivity: Bringing the thermographic inspection forward in the spring makes it possible to evaluate the performance of the photovoltaic system just before the season of highest energy productivity, i.e. summer. This allows potential problems to be detected and corrected before they significantly affect system performance and its ability to generate power.

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Fall recommendation: Late September and early November, in the fall, is an appropriate period to perform additional thermographic inspections. At this time, the PV system has been operating at full capacity during the summer, and it is important to evaluate its thermal performance before facing the winter.

In conclusion, it is crucial to rely on professionals specialized in thermography with drones, as they will know how to select the optimal time to perform the inspections, considering the weather conditions and the specific needs of the photovoltaic systems. In this way, accurate and valuable results will be obtained to enable preventive maintenance and efficient management of energy resources.

Main advantages of thermography with drones

Drone thermography, a widely recognized and adopted technique in various industries, offers a set of remarkable advantages that make it a highly effective tool for accurate temperature measurement of objects and surfaces. Some of its most outstanding features are:

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High image resolution: Thanks to the use of innovative thermal imaging cameras, drone thermography makes it possible to capture images with exceptional resolution. Each image point, or pixel, is represented as a thermogram, which facilitates the identification of crucial details related to thermal variations.

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Safety and flexibility of use: The drones (UAS)  used for thermography are highly safe and reliable. Its ability to operate in diverse contexts, even in situations that could be dangerous for direct human intervention, broadens its application in different scenarios and conditions.

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Speed in the interventions: Compared to previous methods, manual analysis, touring the PV array on foot, it is much faster and more agile and 100% of the panels are analyzed.

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Completeness of results: The specialized software used to detect temperatures and process the data guarantees complete and immediate results. This reliability in the generation of thermographic data is essential for an accurate and effective evaluation of the thermal conditions of the inspected objects or structures.

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Accessibility and cost-effectiveness: Drone thermography offers a practical and economically advantageous solution compared to alternatives such as helicopter rentals. This accessibility does not compromise the quality of the services or the accuracy of the results obtained, as it is based on state-of-the-art technology and specialized skills.

Our team at SG drones solutions prides itself in providing quality service and professional excellence that exceeds market standards. Our approach encompasses not only the
thermography, but also drone filming and photogrammetry, covering a wide range of needs and applications. We are available to provide quotations without obligation, allowing our customers to access efficient, practical and high quality solutions. If you need additional information, quotations or have any questions, we cordially invite you to contact us directly.

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