Aerial Thermography & Drone Operations FAQ's

Aerial Thermography & Drone Operations FAQ's


What spectral range do Above Surveying’s thermal cameras detect?

Our thermal cameras detect infrared radiation in the 8μm to 14μm range, which aligns with long‑wavelength IR requirements.

What temperature range and sensitivity do the cameras support?

  1. Temperature range: ‑20°C to +120°C
  2. Thermal sensitivity: < 50mK (0.05°C)
  3. Measurement accuracy: ±2°C or ±2% (whichever is greater)
Gain and parameters are configured before each inspection to ensure accurate thermographic capture.

Can Above Surveying operate in all ambient conditions?

We schedule inspections only in safe and compliant weather conditions:
  1. Ambient operating range: ‑10°C to +40°C
  2. Environmental conditions at the time of flight are recorded in flight logs.

What geometric resolution (GSD) is achieved during inspections?

Flights are planned to achieve a module sampling distance (Module GSD) better than 3cm/px, 5.5cm/px or 8cm/px - depending on the service required.
We do not capture or report on electrical connection components requiring point‑level resolution.

For more information on Above's Thermographic analysis standards, click here.

Are emissivity and reflected temperature adjustable?

Yes.
  1. Emissivity is configured in‑camera before the inspection.
  2. Reflected temperature can be set during analysis.
  3. These parameters are not adjustable by the client post‑capture.

What temperature measurements are provided in reports?

  1. Peak temperature of the anomaly
  2. Reference temperature of a normal operating module
  3. ΔTm (as‑measured temperature gradient)
  4. ΔTn (normalised temperature gradient)
These are illustrated using clearly marked points within the radiometric image files.

Are the thermal cameras calibrated?

Our cameras cannot be recalibrated or corrected for drift. Some pilots maintain a Certificate of Conformity, which can be supplied if requested before the inspection.

Are thermal images captured in radiometric format?

Yes. All thermal images are captured in fully radiometric format, enabling absolute temperature evaluation.

What drones and navigation protocols are used during inspections?

We use drones capable of:
  1. Autonomous waypoint navigation
  2. Carrying suitable thermal and RGB payloads
Flight plans are designed to ensure consistent altitude, angle, distance, and coverage, with environmental conditions logged.

Are inspections conducted according to IEC 62446‑3?

Yes our 3cm/px inspection service aligns with the requirements and recommendations of IEC 62446‑3:2017 for aerial thermographic PV inspections.

What documentation and certifications do pilots hold?

All Above Surveying pilots and subcontractors hold:
  1. UAS operator registration with relevant aviation authorities
  2. Required A1/A3, A2, STS‑01, or STS‑02 certifications as applicable
  3. Compliant public liability insurance (EC 785/2004)
Flight hours for specific drone models can be provided upon request.

What environmental conditions are required for an IR inspection?

  1. Irradiance: must remain above 600 W/m² (missions paused if it drops below)
  2. Cloud coverage: Some is acceptable; full clear-sky conditions can be requested but may impact scheduling
  3. Wind speed: must not exceed 25 km/h (≈7 m/s)
  4. Load condition: PV system should operate at >50% load, ideally during peak generation hours
SCADA/weather station checks every 30 minutes are a client responsibility.

Who is responsible for synchronising inspection timing with plant operation schedules?

The client must provide relevant timetable or operational constraints so inspections can align with plant conditions.

Who is responsible for SCADA data, authorisations, and site access?

  1. Authorisations: Contractor
  2. SCADA access & data provision: Client
  3. Site access arrangements: Shared responsibility depending on local procedures

Can Above Surveying wait on site for ideal weather conditions?

Yes, but additional time on site may be chargeable if waiting for clear‑sky windows is necessary. This can be agreed in advance.

What is included in the final thermographic report?

  1. Radiometric IR images
  2. RGB context images
  3. Peak and reference temperature values
  4. ΔTm and ΔTn
  5. Environmental logging (irradiance, temperature, wind)
  6. Anomaly classification aligned with IEC‑62446‑3
  7. Root cause analysis
  8. Location information
Further detail can be found in the Understanding Thermographic Reports page.

Click here to see information on the Thermographic report output FAQ's. 

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