Solardrone

Adherence to IEC TS 62446-3:2017

The global standard for solar PV aerial thermography inspections.

This document is a summary of Solardrone’s adherence to the technical

specification set forth by the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC). It is not the technical specification itself. Please refer to IEC
TS 62446-3:2017 for the specification and comprehensive guidance*

*IEC TS 62446-3:2017, Photovoltaic (PV) systems - Requirements for

testing, documentation and maintenance - Part 3: Photovoltaic modules and
plants - Outdoor infrared thermography, available at https://webstore.iec.ch/
 Adherence to
IEC TS 62446-3-2017

IEC Item Met Description Notes

Level - Simplified Yes Simplified Thermographic Solardrone Standard or Comprehensive

Inspection Inspection meets the Simplified Inspection
requirements.
Level - Detailed Yes Detailed Thermographic Solardrone Comprehensive Inspection
Inspection meets the Detailed Inspection
requirements.

Section: Inspection Equipment

Equipment Date and Yes Must be synchronized prior and
Time during inspection.
IR Spectral Response Yes 2-5 micron or 8-14 micron.
Mid-wave infrared cameras
(MWIR) operating wavelength
2-5 microns shall only be used
for thermography of BOS
components (e.g. fuses) due
to the transparency of glass in
range of 3 microns. The use of
MWIR on PV modules can lead to
measurement errors.
Temperature sensitivity Yes -20 degC to +120 degC
and calibration range
Operating ambient air Yes 10 degC to +40 degC
temperature
Thermal sensitivity Yes NETD <= 0.1 K at 30 degC
Geometric resolution Yes PV module: max 3cm of module
edge per pixel^2. Electrical
connections: resolution has to
match the smallest area to be
verified
Absolute error of Yes < +/- 2 K
measurement
Adjustable parameters Yes Emissivity, Reflected Temperature
Adjustable functions Yes Focus, temperature level and span
Measurement functions Yes Measuring spot, measuring area
with average and maximum tem-
perature
Calibration Yes Measuring system shall be trace- At time of writing, industry standard is that
ably calibrated at least every two FLIR calibrates radiometric LWIR cameras (Tau
years. The calibration must be 2 cores for Vue Pro R, Duo Pro R, XT, and
documented. XT2) at factory and does not provide paper
certificates.
 Adherence to
IEC TS 62446-3-2017

Documentation Yes Storing of the infrared picture All original radiometric data is available in
with all radiometric information Solardrone online portal.
to be able to determine absolute
temperatures.

Photo Camera for Documentation

Visual Photos Yes One visual photo required for any Solardrone Comprehensive includes visible
thermal abnormality. spectrum Linked Images.
Resolution Yes Significantly higher than IR image At least 12MP visible spectrum cameras are
and similar field of view. used.
Area of interest Yes Same area of interest of IR camera Visible camera images are of the area of
interest.

Ambient Condition Measurement

Record of ambient Yes Must be recorded.
conditions
Irradiance Yes Irradiance sensor with calibration
+/- 5%
Ambient air temperature Yes Temperature sensor with
calibration +/- 2K
Wind speed Yes Estimated visual Bft scale or
anemometer
Cloud Coverage Yes Estimated with photo camera
Degree of soiling Yes Estimated with photo camera Soiling is identified in inspection report.
Module or string current Yes DC clamp ampere meter or Inverter readings are typically reviewed by end
inverter reading with calibration customer, but can be transferred to
2% Solardrone to be included in inspection
report.

Section: Inspection Procedure

Applicable health and Yes
safety regulations
Owner, operator, or Yes Safety requirements are reviewed prior to site
authorized person gives visit and electrical plans are provided via online
inspector introduction portal.
to safety inspection
regulations and details
of plan and electrical
layout.
A second person should Yes -20 degC to +120 degC Yes if required, a pilot may be required to have
be present and may be visual observer depending on FAA airspace
required. restrictions.
 Adherence to
IEC TS 62446-3-2017

At least one person Yes

shall have technical
knowledge of the
system and PV plants in
general.
Detailed inspection Yes
scope defined prior to
inspection and agreed in
writing
Plant under operating Yes Yes. Please notify Solardrone if there is
conditions. a change in operating conditions prior to
inspection.
Thermal steady state Yes
condition.
Low soiling, if not Yes
cleaning recommened.
Issues of intermittent Yes
or changing nature
may not be captured at
inspection time.
Visual inspection of Yes
site prior to starting
IR inspection is
recommended.

Enviornmental Conditions
Irradiance Yes Greater than or equal to 600 W/
m^2 POA. Operationg current >=
30% od rated system current
Wind speed Yes Less than or equal to 4 Bft or 28
km/h
Cloud coverage Yes Less than or equal to 2 okta of sky
covered by cumulus clouds
Soiling Yes No or low. Inspection purpose may be to measure soiling
in which case it may be high.
After > 10% change in Yes Recommend 15 minute waiting Yes, if specified.
operating conditions time

Imaging Procedure
Distance Yes Shall fulfill geometrical resolution
Image orientation Yes As perpendicular to the PV module
surface as possible
 Adherence to
IEC TS 62446-3-2017

Emissivity Yes Adjusted based on surface

conditions
DC-Load of plant Yes Measured to avoid measurementrs Yes if provided, inverter readings are typically
under undefined load conditions reviewed by end customer, but can be
transferred to Solardrone to be included.
Findings Location Yes Exact position shall be
documented
Simplified: No absolute Yes Solardrone Standard inspection procedure
temperatures
Detailed: Absolute Yes Solardrone Comprehensive inspection
temperatures are procedure
determined.
Advanced qualifications Yes
needed
Speed of camera Yes Chosen with respect to camera
time constant. Typically <= 3 m/s

Emissivity
BOS Components N/A Should be accurately determined Solardrone does not typically do BOS
with thermography considerations components unless specifically requested.
Glass Yes Typical 0.85 or 0.9

Section: Software
Emissivity Yes
Reflected Temperature Yes
Temperature Level Yes
and Span
Measuring tools Yes

Section: Evaluation
Identify maximum Yes
temperatures
Temperature differences Yes
Temperature profiles Yes
Clouds Yes
Windspeed Yes
Mechanical stress Yes
Soiling Yes
Visual Inspection Yes
 Adherence to
IEC TS 62446-3-2017

Irradiance and/or DC Yes

Load
Previous inspection Yes Yes if provided, Solardrone can digitize
results taken into historical reports.
account
Evaluation of IR images
Patterns N/A Abnormality classified by known Solardrone does not typically do BOS
thermal pattern components unless specifically requested.
Temperatures of point Yes Algorithm to determine highest
abnormalities temperature in image
Extended areas Yes Get mean tempeartures of areas
Relative Temperatures Yes Calculated between point
abnormalities or extended areas
Absolute Temperatues Yes Can be measured at point
abnormalities or extended areas
with uncertainty measurement
Thermal Abnormalities Yes Typical 0.85 or 0.9
Classes of Abnormalities Yes 1. nominal, 2. thermal abnormality,
3. safety relevant thermal
abnormality
Projection of Yes Procedure for calculating
temperature differences normalized temperature difference
to nominal irradiance

Section: Inspection Report

Name of Experts (PV Yes
expert, thermographer,
attending persons)
Make model of camera Yes
system
Day and time Yes
Location Yes
Contractual Scope of Yes
inspection
Environmental Yes
Conditions
Soiling amount Yes
Inspection procedure Yes
Listing of thermal Yes
abnormalities and
specific position