Power Line & Solar Panel Inspections — Fast, Safe, and Data‑Rich
We help utilities, EPCs, and asset managers find issues before they become outages. Using the DJI M30T for thermal/zoom and the Mavic 3 Enterprise for high‑resolution RGB, NC Drone Co delivers actionable reports that reduce risk and maintenance costs.
Power Lines
Zoom/thermal imaging to spot cracked insulators, hardware defects, vegetation encroachment, and conductor hotspots.
Solar Farms
Thermal scans to locate string/module anomalies and soiling; RGB maps for documentation and punch‑list closeout.
Why partner with NC Drone Co
Safety First
Keep crews off poles, towers, and rooftops. We operate under FAA Part 107 with robust risk and airspace checks.
Thermal + RGB
Dual‑sensor workflows combine 640×512 thermal with high‑megapixel RGB to validate and classify faults.
Actionable Reports
Clear, ranked findings with geotags, images, and suggested next steps—ready for CMMS or work orders.
Inspection Services
Overhead Lines & Substations
- Insulators, dampers, spacers, clamps, jumpers, and hardware checks
- Conductor and connector thermal anomalies / arcing indicators
- Vegetation encroachment and ROW documentation
- Structure integrity (poles/towers), corrosion, and fasteners
- Substation visual/thermal spot checks (by SOW)
*Hybrid optical/digital per mission need and standoff distance.
Solar PV Fields (Utility & C&I)
- Thermography for module and string anomalies (hotspots, PID, mismatch)
- Array‑level heatmaps & defect pins with photos
- Soiling, shading, mechanical damage documentation
- As‑built RGB mapping for punch‑lists and O&M baselines
- Follow‑up re‑scan after remediation
How an Inspection Engagement Works
1) Plan
Scope, flight profiles, and safety plan. Airspace checks, permissions, site hazards, and comms.
2) Fly
Thermal and RGB capture with overlapping passes and appropriate standoff for asset class.
3) Analyze
Review frames & telemetry, cross‑check thermal/RGB, classify defects, and rank by severity.
4) Report
Deliver a concise report with geotagged images, CSV, KMZ, and optional web map.
5) Resolve
Coordinate with your team; optional re‑scan to validate remediation and close out work orders.
Options
Live ops viewing, scheduled programs (monthly/quarterly), emergency call‑outs, and storm response.
Flight & Sensor Stack
DJI M30T (Thermal/Zoom)
- Thermal 640×512 for reliable hotspot detection
- High‑zoom EO for stand‑off inspections of hardware
- Stabilized, weather‑resistant platform for utility work
Mavic 3 Enterprise (RGB)
- High‑megapixel RGB for documentation and mapping
- Efficient coverage of long corridors and large PV fields
- Excellent for baseline imagery and close‑in detail
Typical Deliverables
Findings Report
PDF with ranked issues, annotated images, and remediation notes.
Geo Files
KMZ for Google Earth, CSV of defects with coordinates, and optional GIS layers.
Maps & Media
Orthomosaics (RGB), thermal overview tiles, and original media packaged by asset.
Safety & Compliance
Operating standards (click to expand)
- FAA Part 107 remote pilot in command for every mission
- Airspace/NOTAM checks; LAANC/authorizations as required
- Site‑specific risk assessment and emergency procedures
- Utility coordination (substation protocols, radio comms, escorts)
- Weather, standoff, and line‑of‑sight maintained per SOW
Ready to schedule an inspection?
Tell us about your assets, timelines, and reporting needs. We’ll recommend the right flight plan and deliverables.