Solar energy has seen tremendous growth as a commercial energy source. However, natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms can cause significant damage to solar farms, making repairs both costly and time-consuming. In this article, we will delve into the utilization of drones in post-disaster assessments of solar farms. We will explore how drones can be employed to inspect solar farms for damage after extreme weather events, how they can assist in extraordinary maintenance, and how aerial technology can be utilized for comprehensive evaluations. By utilizing drones, solar farm asset managers can save both time and money while getting their systems back online as quickly as possible.
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Extreme Weather Events on Solar Farms
Solar farms are not impervious to the damaging effects of extreme weather. In 2019, a hailstorm at the Midway Solar project in West Texas became the largest weather-related single-project loss in its history and caused the destruction of 400,000 of the plant’s 685,000 photovoltaic panels. This single storm caused over $70 million in damage and is one of the most glaring examples of the extreme weather risk to solar energy production.
To meet an ever-increasing demand for renewable energy, new solar farms are being constructed across wider geographic areas, often in places with more frequent and extreme weather conditions. In addition to geographic location, climate change has led to an uptick in the frequency and intensity of weather-related events strong enough to cause significant damage to solar farms. According to the National Climate Assessment, the United States continues to see an increase in extreme weather events from tropical storms, wildfires, and high ambient temperatures.
"One of the most visible consequences of a warming world is an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events."
Solar farms are particularly vulnerable to damage from tropical storms. In the southeastern United States alone there are over 800 solar facilities with a capacity greater than 14 GW that are at risk of damage from a hurricane. High winds, which are the primary cause of damage during hurricanes, can cause significant damage to solar panels and components, especially trackers and mounting systems. However, flooding also poses a secondary risk that can result in additional damage and interruption to energy production. Other natural disasters that can damage solar farms include:
- Hail
- Lightning
- Wildfires
- Ice and Snow
- Very high humidity
- Prolonged extreme heat
Weather events are always challenging. It can be quite difficult to determine the extent of damage caused by extreme weather. To address this issue, solar installations must have a well-thought-out contingency plan in place to reduce the overall impact on their operations. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an effective solution to this problem which provide a cost-effective and efficient way of inspecting photovoltaic (PV) systems for damage immediately after extreme weather events.
Related Article – 7 Valuable Uses For Drones in the Solar Industry
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Techniques for Exposing Warrantiable Items on Your PV Sites.
A Proven Roadmap for Successfully Implementing Drones in Solar.
Strategies for Identifying DC Losses and Avoiding Downtime.
Getting Back Online: Extraordinary Maintenance
When an extreme weather event takes place, asset managers and maintenance personnel must promptly carry out a thorough assessment of the facility to determine if any damage was sustained. The goal is to identify the range of severity of any damage that might have occurred such as:
- Complete destruction, unrepairable non-operating damage that requires complete replacement
- Partial damage that is between 15%-50% non-operational
- Minor damage which is less than 10% non-operational, easier to evaluate and repair
- Small areas where production disruption issues occurring but all aspects can be repaired
To carry out the initial assessment one option is to hire a drone contractor or drone service provider. These companies specialize in providing quick turnaround drone-based solutions for solar inspections and assessments of solar equipment. A drone company can provide asset managers with detailed images and videos of any damage to the facility, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly pinpoint the damaged areas and make the necessary arrangements for repairs.
"Between 2014 and 2019, hail caused the largest number of insurance claims with solar hardware, weighing in at 7,979 cases with an average cost of $2,555. ‘Hail is a big deal for solar panels.’"
A second option would be to use an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) partner who works with drone companies and contractors. O&M organizations are well versed with coordinating talent across multiple disciplines saving you time in the immediate aftermath of a weather event. This type of partner can act as a single point of contact, handling all aspects of the drone inspection and repair process.
Utilizing Aerial Technology for System-wide Evaluations
After the initial assessment, a full examination of the entire facility is necessary. Here, the use of drones can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the process. Performing extensive visual evaluations can be quickly conducted by mapping the facility with or without the facility in full operation and will allow asset operators to determine exactly what needs to be fixed.
Drone-based inspections are particularly useful for identifying damage that may not be visible to the naked eye, such as microcracks on solar panels, broken or damaged components, debris from the storm, and any issues with existing support structures. Once operating loads are restored to individual arrays thermal inspections can determine the extent of module or string damage might have occurred to each array.
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Once the damage has been assessed and the necessary repairs have been identified, the final step is to execute the plan. This includes coordinating the repair and maintenance work and getting the facility back online as quickly as possible. By using drones for solar farm post-disaster assessments, the drone provider will be able to supply the solar facility with extensive reports and documentation that can be used to make repairs but will also provide a visual historical record that can be used for insurance claims, to assist with warranty claims. or future evaluation comparisons.
Creating Your Drone Post-Disaster Assessment Plans
The use of drones for solar farm post-disaster assessments can provide several benefits. They can help to reduce the time and cost of repairs, help with future maintenance, and provide valuable information for system-wide evaluations. As the use of solar energy continues to grow, drones will likely play an increasingly important role in maintaining and operating solar farms, especially when it comes to weather-event evaluations.
"The cost of insuring operational solar farms has skyrocketed… triggered by carriers rethinking their approaches to natural catastrophes and other extreme weather events. Post-event assessments will likely include drone flights looking for module hot spots."
Are you in need of an extreme weather action plan for your solar facility? Look no further! The Drone Life offers tailored aerial solutions for companies managing large and small solar portfolios. Our team of experts have direct experience creating solutions specific to your needs. We have successfully implemented drone technology for assessing the damage caused by extreme weather events and have helped our clients to get back online faster than expected. Don’t hesitate, schedule a free consultation with one of our drone experts today.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
Techniques for Exposing Warrantiable Items on Your PV Sites.
A Proven Roadmap for Successfully Implementing Drones in Solar.
Strategies for Identifying DC Losses and Avoiding Downtime.
