Inspecting a solar panel using an unmanned aerial vehicle

This invention describes a method for using a drone to inspect solar panels. The drone first flies to the general area of a solar panel using radio signals, then uses special close-range sensors to precisely position itself. Once in place, it captures an infrared image of the panel to check for issues, repeating this for multiple panels.

Why it matters: Filed before widespread, affordable, and highly autonomous UAVs with integrated precision navigation and thermal imaging were common. Modern drone platforms and AI-driven image analysis make this far more practical and efficient now.

Status: Not in forceListed as no longer active. The specific reason is not in the record we hold.
How hard to build: SpecializedUAV, infrared camera, near-field sensors, navigation software

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