Wind Turbine Inspections with Drones

Wind turbine drone inspections enable the assessment of blades, nacelle and tower without the need to stop turbines for extended periods. Using zoom, thermal and RTK sensors, we detect cracks, erosion, delamination and structural defects with centimetre-level accuracy, reducing maintenance costs and personnel risk.

At SG Solutions, we combine aerial inspection expertise with advanced data capture and analysis technology. Our missions follow AESA-approved protocols and deliver traceable results that improve decision-making in preventive maintenance, safety and operational performance.

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What Does Wind Turbine Inspection with Drones Involve?

Wind turbine drone inspection consists of the systematic capture of high-resolution images of blades, nacelle and tower using optical and thermal cameras mounted on RTK drones. This methodology replaces manual work at height with a remote, safe and efficient process that enables a complete structural assessment of each turbine.

During operations, automated flights are planned around the rotor to record all blade surfaces with controlled overlap and centimetre accuracy. Thermal sensors, such as the FLIR E96, detect internal anomalies—moisture ingress, delamination or overheating—while optical zoom identifies surface defects and erosion damage.

The data is processed with specialised software to generate digital models, defect reports classified by severity and georeferenced inspection maps. This provides the client with traceable information, comparable between campaigns and ready to integrate into preventive maintenance systems.

Benefits of Wind Turbine Drone Inspections

Wind turbine drone inspections reduce risk and downtime. We combine RTK, optical zoom and thermography to cover blades and nacelle within hours. We deliver digital reports comparable between campaigns that prioritise repairs and maximise wind farm availability.

 Working-at-height safety: elimination of rope access and improved operational safety.

 Reduced downtime: turbine stoppage time reduced by up to 60%.

 Fast coverage: full blade and nacelle inspection completed within hours.

Digital reports: defects classified by severity with clear visual evidence.

Comparable history: damage comparison to optimise maintenance planning.

The georeferenced report ranks defects by severity and cost, proposing prioritised corrective actions. With annual inspection history and objective metrics, you optimise maintenance, minimise downtime and extend the service life of each turbine through clear, traceable decisions.

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Complementary Services:

Aerial thermal inspection with drones
3D Photogrammetry with Drones

Types of Defects Detected

Drones detect surface and structural defects in blades, hub, nacelle and tower. ×30 optical zoom identifies erosion, cracks and gelcoat loss, while radiometric thermography reveals moisture and hot spots, enabling safe and prioritised repairs.

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Leading Edge Erosion

Inspection of the blade leading edge to detect erosion, wear and material loss. Drone and zoom analysis assesses depth and extent of damage to define corrective actions before performance is affected.
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Cracks and Gelcoat Damage

Detection of cracks, fissures and gelcoat loss on blades through detailed aerial inspection. Images allow evaluation of damage propagation and planning of sealing or local repairs before infiltration or delamination occurs.
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Internal Delamination

Identification of potential internal delamination in blades using technical drone inspection supported by thermography. Thermal contrast helps delineate affected areas and prioritise safe, precise structural interventions.
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Hub and Fittings

Review of the hub, joints and fittings to detect looseness, impacts or signs of fatigue. Aerial inspection reduces risk, builds a visual history and supports decisions on retightening or replacement.
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Tower Cracks

Inspection of the tower and shaft to locate cracks, fissures or surface corrosion. Aerial analysis measures orientation and length of damage and defines preventive actions before structural integrity is compromised.
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Hot Spots

Detection of hot spots associated with friction, moisture or internal defects via aerial thermography. Reports classify severity and propose predictive actions to avoid major failures and unplanned outages.

Why Choose SG Solutions Drones

Proven Experience

Over 500 MW inspected and hundreds of turbines surveyed. Auditable data and comparable KPIs guide maintenance, outage planning and quality control in every campaign.

Certification and Safety

Authorised by AESA for SPECIFIC/BVLOS operations. Proprietary procedures and SORA assessments ensure traceability, correct permitting and safe operations even in sensitive environments.

State-of-the-Art Technology

DJI RTK drones, ×30 optical zoom and radiometric FLIR sensors. Standardised capture and software detect invisible defects and objectively classify criticality in a repeatable manner.

Fast and Accurate Delivery

Clear, georeferenced reports delivered in under 48 hours. Export to SCADA/CMMS and severity-based prioritisation accelerate repairs and maximise asset availability.

Trust Smart Inspection

Accurate and safe wind turbine inspections. At SG Solutions, we turn captures into reports that prioritise repairs, reduce costs and increase asset availability.

Speak with a specialist and request a sample report. We will propose the optimal plan for your wind farm, with clear timelines, methodology and deliverables for an efficient, traceable campaign.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Wind Turbine Drone Inspections

11. How long does a blade inspection with drones take?

Depending on turbine model and wind conditions, blades and nacelle are inspected in 1–2 hours. A preliminary report is delivered in under 48 hours to accelerate maintenance decisions.

2What image resolution do inspections provide?

We use 4K optical cameras with ×30 zoom for detailed surface inspection and radiometric thermography to detect hot spots and moisture, with measurements that are comparable between campaigns.

3Can inspections be carried out in moderate wind?

Yes, always within manufacturer limits and following a detailed risk assessment. If wind gusts exceed safe thresholds, operations are rescheduled to guarantee safety and data quality.

4What regulations apply to these operations?

We operate under EASA/AESA regulations in the SPECIFIC category, with authorisation, SORA assessment and procedures covering critical areas, privacy and coordination with the wind farm owner.

5What deliverables does the client receive?

Clients receive a georeferenced report with defects classified by severity, visual evidence, repair recommendations and files ready for integration into SCADA/CMMS systems.

6What are the advantages over rope access inspections?

Greater safety, faster execution and full coverage without long turbine stoppages. Clients gain a comparable inspection history and objective data to plan maintenance at a lower cost.

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