Thermographic PV Inspection: Drone & IR Hand Camera | IEC TS 62446-3
We inspect every single module of your PV system during live operation – geo-referenced, standards-compliant, with a usable report. Drone thermography and IR hand camera for BOS components from a single source.
Was thermografische PV-Inspektion leistet
Photovoltaic systems lose performance through defects that are invisible to the naked eye. Hotspots are caused by defective cells, shading or microcracks – they create local overheating that permanently damages modules and, in the worst case, leads to fires. PID-Degradation affects entire module arrays over months without showing up in the monitoring. Bypass-Dioden-Fehler switch off entire cell strings. The thermographic inspection makes all of this visible – as a thermal image showing where energy is being lost rather than generated.
A standards-compliant inspection to IEC TS 62446-3 delivers not just images, but a usable report: with defect classification, yield-loss calculation and a geo-referenced map of all anomalies. This report is the basis for warranty claims, insurance settlements and technical due diligence when buying or selling.
The three inspection packages
Depending on your requirements we offer three packages. All prices can be calculated immediately in the price calculator on the homepage – inkl. Fahrtkosten, ohne Vorabgespräch.
Messbedingungen & Ablauf
A standards-compliant thermography inspection to IEC TS 62446-3 requires defined measurement conditions: at least 600 W/m² Sonneneinstrahlung, wind speed below 4 m/s, and the system must be operating at at least 20% of its rated power. These conditions are decisive for the reproducibility and legal usability of the results.
After receiving your inquiry we coordinate system data, weather forecast and the optimal measurement window. Appointment confirmation within 24 h.
Drone survey of all modules + hand thermography of BOS components (depending on package). The system keeps running undisturbed – no yield loss.
Within 5 working days: geo-referenced thermograms, defect classification to IEC TS 62446-3, map of all anomalies, recommended actions.
All defect types: what thermography detects
The thermographic inspection detects all relevant defect types in a PV system – from individual cell damage to systematic faults affecting entire strings.
Local overheating caused by cell defects, shading or microcracks. Fire risk in severe cases.
Voltage-induced power loss affecting entire module arrays. Detectable by elevated edge temperatures.
Kurzgeschlossene oder offene Bypass-Dioden schalten Zellreihen ab. Charakteristisches Streifenmuster im IR-Bild.
Overheated MC4 connectors, corroded terminals and poor crimp connections in DC distribution boxes.
Overheated input boards, defective fans and uneven load distribution across MPP trackers.
Mechanical damage from weathering that is visually invisible but becomes visible in the thermogram as diffuse heat fields.
When an inspection makes sense
A thermographic inspection is worthwhile in six specific situations:
- Commissioning after installation – documents the initial condition and detects installation faults while the installer's warranty is still in force
- Routineinspektion alle 2 Jahre – recommended by VdS 2858, frequently part of the insurance contract
- After extreme weather – hail, storm or lightning can cause damage that is only visible in the thermogram
- With unexplained yield loss – when the monitoring shows losses but the cause is unclear
- Before warranty expiry – no later than 3 months before the end of the installer's 5-year period
- Technical Due Diligence – beim Kauf oder Verkauf eines Solarparks als objektive Zustandsdokumentation
Normative basis: IEC TS 62446-3 and VdS 2858
Standards-compliant inspections are the prerequisite for legally and insurance-compliant usable reports. The IEC TS 62446-3 defines measurement conditions (min. 600 W/m², max. 4 m/s wind), classification methods (class 1–3 by temperature difference) and report requirements. Only reports that meet this standard are admissible as evidence in court and with insurers.
Die VdS 2858 supplements IEC TS 62446-3 with requirements for the hand thermography of BOS components. It is the basis for insurance contracts that prescribe regular thermography as a condition of insurance cover.
Kosten & Preistransparenz
Unlike many providers we give concrete prices – directly on this page, without a prior conversation. The price calculator on the homepage berechnet den Preis inkl. Fahrtkosten in Sekunden: Enter system size, enter location, choose packagehlen – fertig.
Richtwerte: Basis-Paket ab 179 € netto (small rooftop systems up to 30 kWp). Complete package for a 500 kWp ground-mounted system typically 1.500–2.000 € netto incl. travel. Solar farms from 1 MWp on request – we plan tours for operators with multiple sites.
Häufige Fragen
What is a thermographic PV inspection?
A non-contact inspection method using infrared cameras that makes temperature differences in solar modules visible. Defective cells, hotspots and BOS faults are geo-referenced and documented.
Welche Norm gilt?
IEC TS 62446-3 defines measurement conditions, classification methods and report requirements. Only standards-compliant reports are usable by insurers and courts.
What does an inspection cost?
From €179 net. Prices incl. travel costs immediately calculable via the price calculator – no inquiry needed.
Does the system have to be shut down?
No. Drone thermography runs during live operation. The system must deliver at least 20% of its rated power.
Which systems are inspected?
Commercial rooftop systems, industrial rooftops, ground-mounted systems and solar farms from 10 kWp. For solar farms from 750 kWp nationwide, including Austria and Switzerland.
Preis sofort berechnen – ohne Vorabgespräch.
Enter system size and location, choose package – done. Germany-wide, Austria, Switzerland.
Jetzt Preis berechnen →