CASE STUDY: Identifying Water Ingress & Batch-Related Issues
2024
Client Challenge
A UK-based solar farm operator suspected performance losses but lacked the detail to confirm the underlying cause. They needed:
– High-resolution imaging to detect early-stage panel degradation.
– Reliable serial number collection for warranty claims.
– Insight into whether faults were isolated or linked to manufacturing batches
Our Approach & Findings
Our Approach:
Futurewise Aerial deployed ultra high-resolution drone imaging across the site, capturing every panel at cell-level clarity. Our proprietary processing system enabled us to: – Detect water ingress at scale. – Extract and verify serial numbers up to 8x faster than manual methods. – Map the location and distribution of faults across the entire layout.
Analysis revealed:
– Multiple panels showing clear signs of water ingress.
– Faults were not evenly distributed across the site.
– Instead, faults formed a regular linear pattern down the site.
This strongly suggested a systematic cause rather than random degradation. The spacing and distribution aligned with panel transport and stacking practices, pointing towards possible damage during shipping, storage, or unpacking
Client Impact and Takeaways
Client Impact:
– Warranty claims supported: Verified serial numbers allowed the operator to take direct action with the manufacturer.
– Risk mitigation: Identifying batch-related faults helped anticipate further degradation before it spread across the site.
– Operational efficiency: Rapid drone deployment minimised downtime and provided actionable data within days.
Key Takeaway:
Futurewise Aerial not only identified water ingress issues but also delivered insights into fault distribution patterns — turning raw data into actionable intelligence for long-term asset protection.
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