New Thermal Imaging Service Helps Improve Aerial Inspections

A talented photographer whose business was affected by the pandemic has launched a new aerial thermal imaging business - UAV Studio - to provide a solar panel inspection service which helps save clients time and money and reduces risks associated with working at height.

Skipton-based Alex Lester has held Operational Authority from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) since 2018 and used lockdown to develop additional drone operative skills, including obtaining Cat1 Certification to perform thermographic surveys and reports.

Alex launches UAV Studio with an important addition to his equipment - a Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced drone - which will allow him to conduct hi-resolution aerial thermographic surveys. This is especially useful when inspecting solar panels for faults and general signs of wear and tear.

UAV Studio's service provides a safer and more cost-effective solution than those offered by traditional inspectors. The firm's drones inspect hard to reach areas including rooftops and solar panels - negating the requirement for expensive scaffolding, ladders and inspection floors - and speeds-up an otherwise inefficient process.

Says MD, Alex Lester: “Adding the new Mavic 2 drone to our repertoire allows us to offer a wider service to those who need surveys of areas which are difficult to reach by traditional methods. Prior to the advancement of drone technology, inspections could take days, weeks or even months to complete, all at great expense to the client. Such activities would also typically incur significant insurance costs due to the requirement for inspectors to work at height which alone carries greater associated risks.

“Using our drone to carry out a survey takes around a fifth of the time it would take to carry out a traditional land-based survey, which saves on costs and is hugely beneficial in obtaining a high level of detail without unnecessarily drawing out the process.”