DronEL - Fast and accurate luminescence imaging of PV installations

The project aims to further develop and commercialize a drone-based inspection solution that can make preventive troubleshooting on solar cells. The project is based on an Innovation Fund Denmark supported Grand Solutions project (2017-2019), where a proof-of-concept of a drone solution that can take high-resolution luminescence images in flight in full sunlight is demonstrated as the first in the world.

In this project, this leadership position will be utilized to technically mature the developed concept further and bring this to commercialization. The main activities of the project will be to realize a dedicated technical solution where all the technical units including on-board computer a camera and line laser unit in it and will be able to scan across the solar panels and automatically focus and adjust for optimum image quality. The photovoltaic system wiring need not to be disassembled as the injection of energy comes from the laser carried on the drone.

The ultimate goal of the project is to exploit the leading position in the rapidly growing solar cell market by being able to commercialize a plug-and-play solution for mounting on a wide range of drones, for ultra-precise troubleshooting on solar cells, following the EUDP project. This ensures an efficient green conversion without lost green kilowatt hours, as well as offers the most advanced tool for drone inspection of photovoltaic systems, which also enables preventive troubleshooting. The latter is not possible with today's tools.