We use the latest technology to overcome the challenges associated with inspecting assets at height or underwater safely, efficiently, and accurately.
Our team comprises 21 licensed pilots and fleet of 18 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, underwater remote operated vehicles (ROVs) and laser scanners. Together, they capture high quality visual and thermal imagery that enables us to identify defects and provide you with detailed asset inspection reports. The reports inform preventative maintenance actions that extend asset life and reduce the likelihood of costly asset repairs.
We use UAV technology to inspect solar panel arrays. The drones perform sweeps across solar panel surfaces, simultaneously taking RGB and thermal imagery video footage for analysis. Thermal and RGB data sets are important when it comes to quantitative and qualitative analysis - both essential to understanding defects on solar panels.
Quantitative analysis refers to temperature data provided by the thermal sensor. This is known as radiometric data, which can be used to evaluate the impact of the defect. Qualitative analysis refers to the data captured by the RGB sensor and thermal data, that enable us to identify the type of issue affecting the solar panel.
Aerial inspection services support SA Water's Zero Cost Energy Future
SA Water has embraced the opportunity to electrify their own energy sources and established 242 gigawatt hours (GWh) of solar arrays at 33 of their sites across South Australia. These require important ongoing maintenance to ensure optimal generation. To support this outstanding initiative, Water Engineering Technologies has been engaged to deliver the Aerial Inspection Services (AIS) project, using drone technology to identify any faults at the solar arrays. Drone-mounted infrared and high-definition cameras collect photos and video data of the solar panel modules, improving inspections with greater efficiency and safety while reducing operational expenses.