FAQ
Here’s what people usually ask before reaching out.
Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
How does the Volateq Solarinspektor work?
To set up a new digital twin of a solar power plant in the Solarinspektor, we first need some information about your plant (PV and CSP).
Once your solar plant is saved as a digital twin in the Solarinspektor, you can use the flight plan management to create flight plans for any point in time. Flight plans and flight routes are sent from the Solarinspektor Portal directly to your DJI Flight Hub account or synchronised with our own Android app on the controller (Volafly).
On site, a drone pilot sets up the drone and starts the flight routes provided by Volateq at the push of a button on the Volafly app. In larger areas, the drone returns to the pilot every 20 – 35 minutes (depending on the drone model) for a battery change.
After the flight, the pilot uploads the image/video data to the Solarinspektor. Volateq’s software then extracts valuable insights from the image data within 24 – 48 hours.
These inspection results are accessible in the Solarinspektor for all users you specify.
What is the technology behind Volateq’s thermography and soiling detection?
Volateq’s inspection service is based on innovative image analyses. Our AI-powered algorithms analyse and interpret infrared and visual images of your solar installation taken during a drone flight. The state-of-the-art Volateq thermography method was developed by our own solar and data scientists and the soiling analysis was developed in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
How do I get my results after the drone flight?
Access to the Solarinspektor and your data is MFA-secured and complies with the strictest security standards to prevent misuse. There you will not only find the data of your last inspection, but also the entire history of all analyses of your solar system. If you have used another inspection service in the past, it is possible to import previous thermography data into the Solarinspektor.
Where can I log in to the Volateq Solarinspektor?
You can access the Volateq Solarinspektor at the website menu “Login” or by clicking here.
Do we have to download an App in order to use the Volateq inspection service?
No, no additional download is required, the Solarinspektor is also a web application. For locations with unstable internet, the data can also be made available offline when you move around the power plant with a mobile device to carry out corrective measures or check results.
Do we need our own drone in order to use the Volateq Solarinspektor?
With Volateq, you can either use your own drone or hire a third-party provider to capture your inspection data whenever you need it. If you decide to fly yourself, we also provide the flight routes for your solar field through Volafly app.
Which drones do you recommend?
You can use standard off-the-shelf drones. Our customers find that the DJI Mavic 3T works perfectly and is easy to use.
The current list of compatible drone models can be found here: Compatible drone models
Is it complicated to carry out the drone flights ourselves?
Drone flights are very easy to perform and can be carried out by anyone who fulfils the legal requirements.
In Europe, this is the case in most cases (MTOW < 1kg, no CTR) with the small EU drone licence (C1 certificate, category A1), which you can obtain online in just 2 hours. You must also ensure that you have liability insurance. In any case, the responsibility for the safe execution of the flights lies with you, the pilot.
We operate worldwide and can help you obtain your pilot’s licence in most countries around the world, just contact us.
We have poor mobile or WIFI connection in the field. Can we use the Volateq Solarinspektor offline?
Yes, you can. The Solarinspektor also has an offline mode.
Note: start the offline mode beforehand in the office/control room while you have a good internet connection. You can then access all results and add observations such as photos, edits and comments. Go back online later after you have finished the round on the solar field and you will find that everything is synchronised.
How much does the Volateq Solarinspektor for photovoltaic (PV) power plants cost?
The price per MWp (individual thermography or soiling detection) decreases with the size of the system and the number of measurements. For portfolios with a larger number of smaller systems, we have special offer packages for 10 MWp and 25 MWp cumulative installed capacity. The use of Solarinspektor is free of charge for up to 10 users.
Please contact us if you want to know the detailed price for your case.
Apart from thermography what else does Volateq offer for solar PV plants?
With Volateq, you can perform thermography and quantitative soiling detection for entire solar fields. The soiling detection method was developed together with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
Volateq can also integrate drone-in-a-box solutions to make inspection easier for you. This is a particularly attractive solution for very large (> 500 MWp) installations and/or high measurement frequencies.
You can use the Solarinspektor to have all field observations in one place, including your own images, observations, notes, punch lists, etc.
What is the Volateq Solar Field Explorer?
The Volateq Solar Field Explorer is a special function for solar installations within the Solarinspektor. It can be used on both mobile phones and tablets and has an offline mode.
The Volateq Solar Field Explorer was developed specifically for the needs of solar O&M teams. It supports different user roles and rights. With this tool, observations can be set individually for each component and provide a clear overview of the location in the field. This not only improves the accuracy of mapping, but also facilitates communication between field personnel and the office as well as shift changes.
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