O&M Data Requirements
Image collection and data requirements for solar operation and maintenance inspections.
Note: Do NOT fly within 2 hours of sunrise or sunset.
Thermal Imagery
All IR inspections require Obliques to be flown. For more information on how to capture Obliques, see here.
GROUND SAMPLE DISTANCE
| Type of Inspection | Raptor Overview | Raptor Standard | Raptor Comprehensive |
| Description | Ideal for rapid drone flights and string-level outages | Ideal for annual preventative maintenance | Meets IEC TS 62446-3 thermography standards for Absolute Temperature Accuracy |
| Smallest visible features | Module | Diode, Hot Spot, and Cell | Diode, Hot Spot, and Cell |
| Ground sample distance | 15.0 ± 5.0 cm/pixel | 5.5 ± 0.5 cm/pixel | 3.0 ± 0.5 cm/pixel |
| Maximum speed | 30 mph | 12 mph | 7 mph |
IMAGE RESOLUTION
640x512 pixels or greater
FIELD OF VIEW
Horizontal field of view 30-50 degrees
GIMBAL PITCH
Perpendicular to solar modules. See this video for more information
OVERLAP
70% front overlap (direction of flight) and 20% side overlap
IMAGE ALIGNMENT
The horizontal edge of the image aligns with the long edge of the solar rows*
*See special instructions for fixed-wing drones
FILE FORMAT
Radiometric JPEG (R-JPEG)
Metadata must contain GPS location, relative altitude, gimbal pitch, gimbal yaw, gimbal roll and timestamp
IMAGE QUALITY
Imagery must be free from motion blur.
Imagery must contain minimal glare.
Visible (RGB) Imagery
GROUND SAMPLE DISTANCE
| Type of Inspection | Raptor Overview | Raptor Standard | Raptor Comprehensive |
| Description | Ideal for rapid drone flights and string-level outages | Ideal for annual preventative maintenance | Ideal for warranty and commissioning |
| Smallest visible features | Module | Cell | Sub-cell |
| Ground sample distance | 5 ± 1.0 cm/pixel | 2.0 ± 1.0 cm/pixel | 1.0 ± 0.5 cm/pixel |
IMAGE RESOLUTION
4000x3000 pixels or greater
FIELD OF VIEW
50 degrees or greater
GIMBAL PITCH
Nadir (straight down) with deviation up to 20 degrees acceptable (to avoid glare)
OVERLAP
80% front overlap (direction of flight) and 20% side overlap
IMAGE ALIGNMENT
The horizontal edge of the image aligns with the long edge of the solar rows*
*See special instructions for fixed-wing drones
FILE FORMAT
JPEG
Metadata must contain GPS location, relative altitude, gimbal pitch, gimbal yaw, gimbal roll and timestamp
IMAGE QUALITY
Imagery must be free from motion blur.
Imagery must contain minimal glare.
Environmental Conditions
Skies clear and sunny or slightly overcast
Irradiance greater or equal to 600 Watts per square meter
*We recommend irradiance meter use to confirm sufficient irradiance.
If requested, pilots will be required to supply Raptor Maps with images proving POA irradiance from a sensor. If pilot's cannot prove irradiance was above 600 Watts per square meter throughout the flight, a reflight will be required.
Humidity ideally less than 60%
Wind below 6.7 m/s (15 MPH)
Sensor Heading
For both IR and RGB inspection-level imagery sets, sensor heading must remain fixed throughout the flight. For example, if flying a fixed-tilt, ground mount site with panels facing south, the sensor should face North throughout the flight.
The sensor orientation remains consistent with each pass
Maintaining a fixed sensor heading may require manual intervention by the Pilot in Command depending on the flight software in use. Reference the videos in our specific flight operations guidelines for more information.
Base Layer Imagery
An additional data set is required to collect base layer imagery if the site is less than 1 year old and/or no satellite imagery is available.
Same requirements as RGB Imagery except the following deviations.
GROUND SAMPLE DISTANCE
5 ± 1 cm/pixel
GIMBAL PITCH
Nadir (straight down) with deviation up to 10 degrees acceptable (to avoid glare)
OVERLAP
70% front overlap (direction of flight) and 70% side overlap
Updated 2 days ago