Drone Inspections: How to Spot Solar Panel Problems Fast

As the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to rise, businesses and organizations are increasingly investing in solar power. However, to maximize the efficiency and longevity of solar panels, regular inspections and maintenance are crucial. Traditional inspection methods can be time-consuming and costly, but drone technology is revolutionizing the process. St. Louis Aerial Photography specializes in professional drone inspections, helping businesses identify and address solar panel issues quickly and efficiently.

Drones collect high-resolution images and thermal scans to detect abnormalities such as hot spots, dirt accumulation, and wiring faults.

The Importance of Solar Panel Inspections

Solar panels are exposed to various environmental conditions that can affect their performance over time. Common issues include:

  • Cracked or damaged panels – Hail, falling debris, or manufacturing defects can cause structural damage.
  • Dirt and debris accumulation – Dust, bird droppings, and other particles can reduce energy absorption.
  • Defective wiring and connections – Electrical faults can disrupt energy production and pose safety hazards.
  • Hot spots – Overheating due to shading, defective cells, or electrical imbalances can lead to permanent damage.
  • Inefficient panel alignment – Improper angling or misalignment can reduce energy efficiency.

How Drone Inspections Work

Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging sensors provide a comprehensive view of solar panel arrays. This technology enables quick identification of potential problems without the need for manual, labor-intensive inspections.

  1. Aerial Imaging & Thermal Scanning
    • Drones capture high-resolution images and videos of the entire solar panel installation.
    • Thermal cameras detect temperature variations that indicate malfunctions such as hot spots, wiring issues, or shading problems.
  2. Data Analysis & Issue Identification
    • Advanced software processes the collected data, identifying inconsistencies and pinpointing areas that require maintenance.
    • Engineers and maintenance teams can then take precise corrective actions, reducing downtime and operational costs.
  3. Cost-Effective & Time-Efficient
    • Drone inspections take a fraction of the time compared to traditional manual methods.
    • Reduced labor costs and improved efficiency lead to higher returns on investment for businesses relying on solar energy.

Benefits of Drone Inspections for Businesses

  • Enhanced Safety – Avoids the risks of sending personnel to climb on rooftops or large-scale solar farms.
  • Minimized Downtime – Quick identification of faults leads to faster repairs and optimized energy output.
  • Scalability – Drones can efficiently inspect solar panel installations of any size, from small businesses to large commercial solar farms.
  • Comprehensive Reporting – Detailed visual and thermal analysis provides clear insights for decision-makers.

Why Choose St. Louis Aerial Photography?

At St. Louis Aerial Photography, we understand the critical role that solar energy plays in today’s business environment. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, we have the right equipment and creative crew service experience for successful image acquisition. Our licensed drone pilots utilize state-of-the-art technology to conduct detailed aerial inspections tailored to your specific needs.

Beyond drone inspections, we offer full-service studio and location video and photography, as well as editing, post-production, and branding solutions. We specialize in repurposing photography and video branding to help businesses gain more traction in their marketing efforts. With extensive experience in all media file types, styles, and accompanying software, we can optimize content for multiple platforms.

Our private studio lighting and visual setup are ideal for small productions and interview scenes. For larger productions, our spacious studio can incorporate props to enhance your set design. Whether you need a private custom interview studio setup, sound and camera operators, or specialized drone operations—including indoor flights—our team has everything required to make your next production seamless.

Since 1982, St. Louis Aerial Photography has collaborated with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the St. Louis area. Our expertise in commercial drone services ensures precise and efficient solar panel inspections, allowing you to maintain optimal energy performance. Contact us today to learn how our professional drone services can benefit your solar energy system.

314-604-6544

stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com

St Louis Aerial Photography for AB InBev Hardees television commercials

The casual observer’s understanding of what drones can do is mostly informed by the way they’re used to make movies, television shows and commercials.

In the early days of drone use, filmmakers quickly realized how useful these nimble devices were for close-up action shots. Drones proved especially handy for filming moving scenes.

Drones are used to shoot group party scenes from above, allowing audiences to peer voyeuristically into characters’ lives.  Even as da Vinci was perfecting one way of seeing a face, he was dreaming of other ways of looking. No wonder he wanted to fly, perhaps less for the physical rush than for the thrill of seeing the world from above.

We have the technology and experience to fly for all kinds of Television Productions, whether it is for Newsreels, TV Drama or Documentary.

St Louis Aerial Film Production Crew on set

Although Aerial Film & Video is our specialty, we can so so much more. We have the skills and equipment required to deliver a full video package on the ground, supported with aerials. Shooting in beautiful 4K, we can edit and deliver for you so you don’t have to go anywhere else. We can also work with your chosen production company or provide you with the clean raw footage for your own use.

314-604-6544
stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com
Robert Haller, Drone Specialist

St Louis Aerial Photography, Video and Stock Footage


Film Production
Feature, indie, shorts, commercials, music videos. We shoot for a myriad of different productions, producers and advertising agencies, as well as directly with the client.

Live Events
We don’t only capture live events, concerts, and sports, we create actual onsite productions that tell your story and engage your audience

Real Estate
Showcase your real estate and give your potential customers a first hand view at their property and neighborhood.

At the end of the day, the most important factor in realizing your creative vision is the skill of the team behind the technology, which is why our crew includes some of the most experienced pilots and camera specialists in the industry.

St Louis Aerial Photography, Video and Stock Footage

314-604-6544
stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com
Robert Haller, Drone Specialist

Drones, Airplanes and Helicopters | Aerial Photography

St Louis Aerial Photography specializes in low altitude, high resolution aerial photography services.  We utilize customized unmanned drone aircraft as our camera platforms.  This, in conjunction with GPS electronics, the latest cameras, and a gyro stabilized brushless gimbal, provide an aerial platform for capturing stunningly clear high resolution video, photo, panorama, and orbital.

Our unmanned drone aircraft can be deployed quickly with minimal equipment.  Our aerial images are captured from altitudes anywhere from 100 to 400 feet.  This lets us obtain images from angles and perspectives which full-sized aircraft cannot.  Because of its small size, the unmanned drone aircraft can safely take-off and land in tight areas.  It is also quiet and unobtrusive.  Browse our website to better understand how we can help you elevate your next project for an impressive presentation for your website and marketing video tools.

We can also provide traditional airplanes and helicopters for your shoot.
We have two professional pilots and photographers. We own our own Cessna 177 Cardinal and we use the latest in high-resolution digital cameras, and technology, so we have the right equipment to capture exactly the view you need. Our senior pilot has been flying for over 40 years with more that 15 of those in the Aerial Photography Business.  He keeps up to date on the latest in Aerial photography practices and digital technology by his regular contributions and attendance at seminars and conventions.

Our other pilot has been flying for 14 years, has trained at photography schools, and attended professional seminars on digital photograph enhancement techniques. His specialist expertise in photography and digital artwork combine to give you the best product available in the market.

314-604-6544
stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com
Robert Haller, Drone Specialist

St Louis Aerial Video B-Roll Production and Drone Photography

We are often hired to produce branding films for many firm’s upcoming trade shows, website and social media channels. In many branding videos, we showcase the employees and feature the company’s innovations.

We film most interviews and b-roll with the latest video gear available.  Often we also shoot High Definition aerial drone video footage on the client site for b-roll. We also worked with location news stations to license news footage in the branding productions.

St Louis Aerial Drone Photography and Video Production. Two person crew.

Our in-house creative team can enhance your images, clip your videos, or produce full-scale production videos. Be sure to specify what you’re looking for – and we’ll be happy to help.

314-604-6544
stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com
Robert Haller, Drone Specialist

Drone Aerial Photography and Video Production

Our drone crew utilizes the latest in small drone technology including GPS and gyro-stabilized flight control systems to deploy sensors capturing high quality images used in asset management.   We are a technical services company assisting customers interested in precision aerial photography, construction progress, real estate and industrial property marketing.

Personal safety & protection of property is our first priority. Pre-flight planning, inspections and preflight checklists are part of every unmanned aerial photography flight.  While flying the aircraft, our pilot always has visual contact with the equipment.  While the navigator directs the shots.  A thorough inspection of all equipment is conducted before and after each flight.

St Louis Drone Aerial Photography and Video with our two person flight crew.

St Louis Drone Aerial Photography and Video with our two person flight crew.

314-604-6544
stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com
Robert Haller, Drone Specialist

St Louis Aerial Photography and Video

It may seem like commonsense, but during aerial drone filming, you’ll want to make sure that the location is clear of other people; such as other photographers, gardeners or landscapers, unless they are actors on the production.

Often there is an advantage to having the owner or agent on site for the duration of filming/photography. We make sure to work with you and your agent to get the best aerial real estate drone photography footage possible.  We can suggest items to prepare for the outside of the home or commercial location before our professional drone photography team arrives.

Drone Pilot and Navigator, two person aerial drone crew.

Drone Pilot and Navigator, two person aerial drone crew.

Here are some items common to many drone aerial projects:
Close doors
Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
Pick up any stray items that may be laying around
Cover dirt with mulch to make it look more attractive
Sweep all entry ways, the porch and sidewalks
Remove visible water hoses
Open or arrange all window coverings to same length for uniformity

 

Call when convenient to discuss the particulars of your specific drone aerial project.

314-604-6544

stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com

Robert Haller, Drone Specialist

St Louis Aerial Photography | Manufacturing Plant Images by Drone

Today’s editing software allows for manipulation of photos well into the realm of the ridiculous. That said, post-production editing is an important aspect of the photography process. When done right, editing can make photos look more like how we see the world with our own eyes.

st louis aerial photography and video gm wentzville plant

st louis aerial photography and video gm wentzville plant

314-892-1233
stlouisaerialphotography@gmail.com
Robert Haller, St Louis Video Producer