Octopus Energy Generation has hosted a drone trial at a UK solar farm it manages.
Solar software outfit Above has carried out the autonomous drone trial at the solar farm.
The proof-of-concept is the first of its kind in the UK, Above stated, and demonstrates how remotely operated drones have the potential to support operational and maintenance improvements at solar farms.
For the trial Above worked with HeroTech8, which specialises in developing drone-in-a-box technology, in which the drone lives on-site, with auto-landing, take off and wireless charging capabilities.
Will Hitchcock, CEO at Above, said: “For the past seven years Above has been leading the adoption of drones within the global solar industry.
“Now with recent advances in fully autonomous drone technology we are at a second inflection point in their role in this critically important industry.”
The majority of operating costs for managing solar plants consist of personnel and site visits.
Technicians regularly attend solar plants to inspect equipment such as inverters, fencing, combiner boxes and modules.
“Using drone technology would help drive more efficiencies by reducing fault detection times and improving the outputs achieved during site visits by O&Ms,” Hitchcock added.