Drones have become quite essential in the administration of different kinds of projects. Using drones, you can inspect a large project and identify different types of issues before they become concerning. Since drones are highly specialized tools, you need to be conversant with your equipment to avoid any possible mishaps.
Are you running a solar project and are planning to use a drone to inspect the project? Then it would be best to avoid all mistakes that might adversely affect the inspection process. Here are seven inspection mistakes you should look out for when using drones for solar inspection.
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Planning for your drone solar inspection is paramount if you want the best results. Ideally, having the best inspectors will ease the planning process when undertaking a drone solar power inspection. In planning, you can check all the pre-flight prerequisites, such as the equipment’s status, to ensure everything works.
Afterward, you also need to check the flight path to ensure it covers the full extent of the solar project. Remember to consider the regulations and legal requirements of the area. Some regions have strict policies against drone use. Therefore, you need to obtain all the permits to undertake the inspection.
Not all drones are suited for a drone solar inspection project. The kind of drone you need for your inspection will depend on different factors. Some of the factors you should consider include:
You need to ensure that the drone you select for the inspection meets the specific needs of the project you have. The factors above will give you insight into the kind of drone you can choose to meet your needs. As long as you have the right equipment, you are a step closer to achieving your goals.
Weather conditions are essential for any drone solar inspection. The weather conditions can affect the flight path of the drone, its stability, and the drone’s effectiveness in recording the required footage.
Before starting a drone solar inspection, you must confirm whether the anticipated weather patterns will be favorable for the inspection.
Extreme weather conditions can adversely affect the inspection. Therefore, avoid flying your drones during harsh winds, heavy rainfall, fog and mist, and extreme temperatures.
However, if your drone is suited to weather through harsh conditions, you can decide to fly it if the inspection is urgent.
Since drones rely on battery power to record and fly through solar projects during the inspection, it is essential to maintain adequate battery use. Battery use starts with checking the battery charge before the flight begins. Similarly, ensure the battery’s full capacity is enough to run the entire inspection project. Otherwise, you need to carry spare batteries.
Drone solar inspection comes with many possible safety hazards. Flying drones is a technical process. To maintain safety at all times, there are several things you should do.
First, ensure that all people handling the drone and other equipment in the inspection process are trained and qualified to use such equipment. Secondly, always have a cogent safety or emergency precaution plan in case of any incident. These plans can help you make appropriate interventions to avoid injuries.
Remember to keep the drone within your line of sight to ensure the flight is safe and remains within the set flight boundaries.
Considering that drones are technical tools, poor equipment use can affect inspection. Always take time to calibrate the drone for the specific flight path, weather conditions, and inspection requirements.
While drones have their default settings, there might be better settings for your inspection. Thus, the calibration process will help you fit the drone to your specific needs.
You should always calibrate the drone before starting any other process surrounding the inspection. Additionally, taking time to document the calibration setting will help you to make the necessary reports after the inspection.
Data management involves all the steps you will take to transmit the recorded footage from the drone to an external storage device for maintenance.
Some drones have in-built storage facilities, which allow them to record all the footage for future downloads. However, others transmit data via a wireless signal to a computer during the recording process.
If your drone transmits data via a local wireless signal, you need to take all the necessary steps to keep the signal free from interference. Additionally, ensure that you have sufficient storage space to store all the recorded footage, depending on the quality of the recording.
When using drones to undertake solar inspection, you might be tempted to rush through the preliminary processes, leading to adverse results. These mistakes can affect the inspection results, which, depending on the purpose of the inspection, can have far-reaching effects.
While the list above is not conclusive of all the mistakes you might make during the inspection process, it is a good starting point. Next time you want to run a drone solar inspection, go through the mistakes above as a checklist to ensure the process is as efficient as you want.