How Drone Thermal Scans Can Improve Your Solar Panel Performance

Solar panels are a great investment—but even the best systems can underperform without regular maintenance. Faulty cells, poor connections, or hidden hotspots can cut your energy output and reduce the lifespan of your array.

The solution? A drone solar panel inspection using thermal imaging.

In just minutes, a drone can scan your entire solar installation from above and identify performance issues that are invisible to the naked eye.

What Is a Drone Solar Panel Inspection?

A drone solar inspection uses a thermal camera mounted on a drone to detect temperature variations across your solar panels. These thermal “hotspots” indicate:

• Burnt-out cells

• Faulty bypass diodes

• String-level wiring issues

• Soiling or shading affecting panel output

• Degradation over time

By comparing the temperature of each panel, we can see which ones are operating normally—and which ones are failing.

The result is a clear, visual report showing which panels need service or replacement.

Why Thermal Imaging Matters for Solar Panels

Most solar issues aren’t visible during a standard visual inspection. A panel may look fine, but be producing only a fraction of its rated power.

That’s why infrared (thermal) inspections are now standard in solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance) across the country.

Benefits of a thermal scan:

• Catch problems early before they impact output

• Verify new installations are working correctly

• Avoid warranty voids by documenting maintenance

• Maximize ROI on your solar investment

• Save time—no rooftop walking or manual panel testing

Who Should Get a Drone Solar Panel Inspection?

Whether you’re a homeowner with rooftop solar or managing a large ground-mounted solar farm, drone inspections offer fast, accurate, and safe performance checks.

Recommended for:

• Residential rooftop solar (annually or post-storm)

• Commercial buildings and flat-roof arrays

• Agricultural or industrial solar fields

• Post-installation QA for solar installers

• Periodic maintenance checks (quarterly or yearly)

Fast, Affordable, and Safe

A full solar array scan takes less than an hour. No need for climbing, lifts, or shutdowns. You’ll receive a detailed thermal report, including annotated images and visual summaries, within 24–72 hours.

Plus, it’s far more affordable than manual testing—with better coverage and safer results.

At Lakeside Drone Services, we use high-resolution thermal drones capable of identifying individual panel-level failures across any size array.

Ready to Maximize Your Energy Output?

Book a professional drone solar panel inspection today and get the insights you need to keep your system performing at its best.

👉 Schedule an Inspection or Contact Us for a free consultation.