
Volatus Aerospace has successfully completed a large drone solar farm inspection project.
The inspection spanned 2,250 acres, covering over 400MW of solar power capacity and 762,750 solar panels across 16 solar fields and 1 large substation.
According to Volatus, the milestone highlights the company’s expertise in providing innovative aerial solutions for critical infrastructure sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas, and energy utilities.
Volatus utilized RGB and infrared (IR) drones in combination with handheld thermal cameras to collect comprehensive data, ensuring the solar farm’s operational readiness. This post-commissioning inspection represents the final phase before the solar fields are handed over to their owners. Volatus applied AI-powered software to process and analyze the data, enabling precise identification of potential anomalies and defects. By georeferencing issues directly to specific panels or equipment, Volatus enabled efficient inspections and interventions, which will help support long-term operational health.
Rob Walker, Chief Commercial Officer of Volatus Aerospace, stated; “Through this process we’ve learned a lot that will help us create more automated and efficient solutions for this growing sector.
“This project demonstrates how scalable drone technology can economically assist large-scale infrastructure inspections. By delivering comprehensive and efficient solutions, we help our clients make informed and improved operational decisions more efficiently. This supports their long-term performance, while reducing maintenance costs and minimizing downtime or inefficiencies.”