Uncrewed Systems Technology 049 - April/May 2023

Looking for an autonomous or uncrewed engineering role? Let us do the leg work www.uncrewedengineeringjobs.com DroneWorks solar panel inspection | In operation in short-circuit. Probable causes include connector or wiring problems between the modules and the inverter or something more serious, such as potential-induced degradation (PID), he notes. PID is caused by current leakage that develops over time from the PV cell through its encapsulant to the frame, resulting from a high negative potential difference (voltage) between them. “We recommended starting with investigating the cheapest likely cause – the wiring and/or connectors – and working up to replacing the modules themselves, which would be the last resort,” Hinsley says. DroneWorks emphasises that, if the schedule allows, data is analysed at the office on the day of the inspection, or the day after. The company likes to provide a quick turnaround because fast, accurate data collection is one of the key selling points that UAV inspection has over more conventional methods. DroneWorks provided Bleasdale with a detailed report, along with the images, findings and comments, Hinsley says, to be used as a starting point for a PV installation company to investigate further. He adds that DroneWorks can also carry out more in-depth tests to pinpoint the issue if required. Innovate or stagnate In the 3 years since DroneWorks started its inspection business, the company’s equipment and software have evolved. “For example, drone technology has advanced quickly,” Hinsley says. “We now cover more and larger sites, and provide more data, in higher quality than on day one.” Naturally, that means DroneWorks is not wedded to one model of UAV, and since the Bleasdale job it has been using the newer DJI M300 RTK. It is a more capable family of vehicles, and replaces the now discontinued M200 series. “With the correct sensor, the M300 can be tasked with covering most aspects of our work, such as large-area land surveys, high-resolution building inspections and creating digital twins,” Hinsley says. The M300 RTK is a larger and more powerful electric quadcopter than the M210, with a maximum take-off weight of 9 kg, a payload of about 2.7 kg and a maximum flight time of 55 minutes. It comes with obstacle avoidance systems including time-of-flight lasers, and can support up to three payloads simultaneously. Its primary payload is the Zenmuse H20T, a stabilised quad-sensor unit with a wide-angle camera, a zoom camera, a laser rangefinder and a radiometric thermal camera. Local diplomacy Carrying out this kind of inspection mission, particularly near people’s homes, often attracts interest, which sometimes requires some delicate diplomacy, Hinsley notes, but perceptions are changing. “Initially, the general public and industry perceived drones as toys, and were not aware of the solutions and services possible,” he says. “Also, many people see drones in a negative light due to privacy concerns. “I have had a handful of confrontations over the past few years, mainly where land or property owners believed we were ‘spying’ or doing something untoward. There is also a lack of knowledge of the rules and regulations, which occasionally leads to friction. “However, as drones used as tools for commercial reasons become more common, most people we meet are genuinely interested in the things we can do with them once we have explained what we are actually doing.” Looking to the future, he expects to build on the efficiency that using UAVs for thermography brings, covering larger sites more quickly than traditional thermography techniques allow. “With that in mind, I expect to be inspecting more and larger commercial buildings and solar panel installations,” he says. “With the current energy crisis, more and more businesses will be installing solar panels on their roofs, and it is recommended that they are inspected annually to ensure they are performing as expected. “Doing that with drones is quick, safe and removes the need for costly scaffolding or cherry-pickers.” Searching for the perfect engineering job in the uncrewed industry just got a whole lot easier uncrewedengineeringjobs.com Looking for an autono ous or uncrewed engineering role? Let us do the leg work