Our solar panels are producing less energy than… | Parse
Our solar panels are producing less energy than expected. Who offers thermal imaging inspections for solar arrays?
Data as of Sep 26, 2026 · Based on 299 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
For fast, large-scale aerial thermal mapping choose Building Diagnostics Group (BDG) for nationwide drone infrared surveys that pinpoint hotspots and module faults. For deeper forensic diagnostics—cell damage, delamination, wiring issues—choose Exactus Energy for thermal imaging plus detailed analysis.
Best when you need nationwide drone infrared mapping to locate hotspots and damaged modules quickly; BDG is cited for aerial thermal mapping across large commercial portfolios.
Best when you want in-depth thermal diagnostics: Exactus pairs imaging with analysis to find cell damage, delamination, and electrical faults—useful if you need root-cause reports, not just scans.
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Question: Our solar panels are producing less energy than expected. Who offers thermal imaging inspections for solar arrays?
When solar arrays underperform, thermal imaging (infrared thermography) is one of the best tools for spotting hidden issues like hot spots, micro-cracks, faulty bypass diodes, or wiring/string failures.[2]
Depending on your location and the size of your system, several types of professionals offer this service:
Specialized Solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance) Contractors: Many regional solar repair, diagnostic, and maintenance companies carry high-resolution infrared cameras (or use handheld units during checkups) to diagnose dropping yields. (For example, regional providers like The Solar Repair or localized cleaning-and-diagnostic outfits frequently bundle thermal scans).[1][2]
Drone Thermography Service Providers: For large residential arrays, commercial rooftops, or ground mounts, specialized drone inspection services (such as SkyVisor ) use UAVs equipped with radiometric thermal cameras to quickly scan hundreds of panels and pinpoint cell-level anomalies via AI defect detection.
Independent building-science and commercial electrical testing firms (such as ) specialize strictly in infrared thermography for electrical systems, commercial roofs, and renewable assets.[1]
When solar arrays underperform, thermal imaging (infrared thermography) is one of the best tools to spot hidden issues like micro-cracks, failing bypass diodes, delamination, or string/inverter imbalances that show up as abnormal heat signatures.
Question: Our solar panels are producing less energy than expected. Who offers thermal imaging inspections for solar arrays?
Your Original Solar Installer: It is always worth contacting the company that installed your system. Many reputable installers offer diagnostic packages or can recommend a certified thermographer tied to your equipment manufacturer's warranty requirements.
If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:
Your general location (city/state)
Whether your system is residential or commercial
Approximately how many panels you have
I can help point you toward the most relevant type of local specialist.
Jersey First Inspection Services - 3 Derbyshire Ln, Somerset, NJ 08873, United States
QE Solar - 18 Commerce St, Springfield, NJ 07081, United States
PV Pros - 111 River St Suite 1105, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States
Tri-Force Energy - 50 Division St Suite 501, Somerville, NJ 08876, United States
Infrared Imaging Services - 245 N Main St, Ste 221, New City, NY 10956
Solar Mite Solutions Llc - 1525 Corlies Ave, Neptune City, NJ 07753, United States
QE Solar - 16 South Ave W, Ste 207, Cranford, NJ 07016
Prestige Solar Services - 497 Ocean Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07305, United States
SolarCare Solutions - Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
Solar Living - Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Yes. For the Palisades Park/North Jersey area, I found several companies that specifically advertise infrared/thermal inspection of photovoltaic arrays:
Jersey First Inspection Services — Somerset, NJ. Offers infrared solar-panel inspections, including drone-assisted work. Their site says they provide thermographic images, temperatures, equipment lists, and a PDF report; the inspector is a Level III Infrared Thermographer.
Infrared Imaging Services LLC — serves the NY/NJ/CT region. Specializes in infrared thermography and specifically lists PV solar-panel inspections, including defective cells and overheating electrical components.
QE Solar — Springfield/Cranford, NJ. More geared toward commercial/utility-scale systems; offers aerial visual/IR inspections and module/cell-level scans.
What I'd ask for
Since you're seeing lower-than-expected production, ask specifically for a PV infrared/thermographic inspection performed while the array is under load, rather than a general home thermal inspection. A proper scan can reveal hot cells, failed bypass diodes, bad connections, defective strings, shading/soiling, and other abnormalities that may not be obvious from inverter monitoring.
If you tell me whether your system is residential rooftop, commercial rooftop, or ground-mounted, I can narrow this to the most appropriate 2–3 providers and find their current contact/quote information.
When solar arrays underperform, thermal imaging (infrared thermography) is one of the fastest ways to spot hidden issues like dead cells, bypassed diodes, micro-cracks, or string failures (which show up as distinct heat anomalies).
Several types of providers offer specialized thermal imaging inspections for solar arrays:
Certified Aerial Drone Thermographers: Many modern inspections are done via drones equipped with high-resolution radiometric thermal cameras. Companies specializing in aerial thermography (such as DronePower1 or local commercial drone service providers like Self Aerial Imagery ) fly over commercial or large residential arrays to map out heat anomalies efficiently.[2]
Dedicated Infrared/Thermography Inspection Firms: Regional and national testing firms employ Level II or Level III certified thermographers (such as divisions within the United Infrared Network or Delta Infrared Solutions ) who adhere to strict industry protocols like IEC TS 62446-3 (the international standard for photovoltaic infrared thermography). These reports are often robust enough to satisfy manufacturer warranty claims or insurance requirements.
Solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance) Contractors: Many full-service solar installation and maintenance companies have in-house thermal imaging tools or partner with testing specialists to diagnose production drop-offs.
Note: Keep in mind that a thermal imaging scan detects where the heat anomaly is. If there is an underlying wiring or component failure, you may still need a certified solar technician or electrician to perform electrical testing and execute the physical repair.
To help narrow down who to contact, let me know:
Is your system residential or commercial/ground-mount?
AllSolar Energy - 4085 Wedgewood Ln, Ste 400, Wal-Mart, The Villages, FL 32162
Service Solar Pros - 1619 3rd St, Leesburg, FL 34748, United States
Weller Infrared Services, Inc. - 112 Citrus Tree Ln, Longwood, FL 32750, United States
AllSolar Energy — Solar Installation, Repair & Service - 4205 St Johns Pkwy, Sanford, FL 32771, United States
Florida Solar Fix - Solar Panel Install & Maintenance - 31936 Blue Passing Loop, Wesley Chapel, FL 33545, United States
Solar Service Pros in Florida - 6160 Ulmerton Rd Unit 7, Clearwater, FL 33760, United States
TEO Solar (The Energy Outlet) - 494 Co Rd 65, Bunnell, FL 32110, United States
DEPI SOLAR LLC - 1035 S Semoran Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32792, United States
Total Solar FL - 1011 8th St Unit 104, Daytona Beach, FL 32117, United States
Go Solar with Susan - 2175 Kerwood Loop, The Villages, FL 32162, United States
Energy Technology Services - 724 Ensenada Dr, Orlando, FL 32825, United States
Home Inspection & Radon Testing - The Villages, FL 32159
Weller Infrared Services - Longwood, FL 32750
If you’re in The Villages, Florida, I found a few options worth calling. For an underperforming PV array, I’d prioritize someone who specifically does solar-panel thermography, rather than a general home inspector who merely carries an infrared camera.
AllSolar Energy — Based in The Villages and offers PV troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance. I’d ask specifically whether they can perform a panel-level infrared/thermal scan as part of the diagnostic.
Service Solar Pros — Based in Leesburg and serves The Villages area. They offer solar maintenance/inspection and production-health checks, including looking for hot spots.
Tier-1 Pro Inspections — Their Central Florida solar inspection specifically includes thermal scanning for hot spots, faulty strings and performance imbalances, plus drone imagery and a performance evaluation.
Sun State UAS — Offers drone thermal imaging of solar arrays throughout Florida, with thermal and visible imagery organized by array/row. They emphasize that the thermal survey identifies anomalies for a qualified solar/electrical professional to investigate rather than being a standalone electrical diagnosis.
What I'd request
Tell them: “My PV system is producing below expected output. I want a thermal/infrared scan of the entire array, preferably panel-level, along with identification of hotspots, abnormal strings/modules, and recommendations for electrical follow-up.”
Thermal scans work best under sufficiently strong sunlight; one FLIR technical note recommends at least 500 W/m² irradiance, with about 700 W/m² preferable for strong thermal contrast.
If you'd like, I can also narrow this down to 3 providers closest to The Villages and compare their reviews, services, and contact information.
When your solar array underperforms, thermal imaging (thermography) is one of the best ways to spot hidden issues like "hotspots," failing bypass diodes, micro-cracks, or string failures.
Depending on the size of your array and your location, several types of professionals offer thermal imaging inspections for solar panels:
Certified Solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance) Contractors: Dedicated solar service and diagnostic companies specialize specifically in photovoltaic troubleshooting. They often use handheld thermal cameras or specialized diagnostic gear to test under load (e.g., The Solar Repair Company in regions like Southern California).[1]
Specialized Solar Cleaning & Maintenance Companies: Many advanced solar maintenance providers incorporate thermal imaging before and after cleanings or standard maintenance checks to verify individual panel efficiency (such as Saturn Solar Cleaning).[1]
Commercial Drone Thermography Providers: For large residential arrays, commercial properties, or utility-scale solar farms, dedicated drone operators equipped with radiometric thermal cameras (like SkyVisor or providers listed on industry directories like Unmanned Systems Technology ) can rapidly scan entire layouts from the air.
Advanced Home/Building Inspection Companies: Some high-tech certified home inspection or commercial building envelope firms carry FLIR/thermal imaging gear and offer specialized roof-mounted or drone-based PV scans.
If you share your general location (city/state) and whether this is a residential or commercial/industrial array, I can help point you toward specific types of local providers or what questions to ask them.
Thermal imaging (infrared thermography) inspections are a common way to find why a solar array is underperforming. Inspectors use radiometric thermal cameras—often mounted on drones—to identify hotspots, failed bypass diodes, cracked cells, string issues, shading patterns, and other temperature anomalies that may not be visible from the ground.
Providers that offer solar-array thermal imaging inspections include:
AeroDeploy UAV — Provides drone-based thermal and visual solar inspections, including hotspot detection, cell defects, GPS-tagged anomalies, and inspection reports.
Sylo Energy — Offers drone thermography for solar plants, detecting thermal issues such as hotspots, diode failures, and string problems.
Drones Inbound — Provides radiometric thermal and RGB inspections with anomaly registers identifying affected modules and severity.
Northern Drone — Offers panel-level radiometric thermal surveys and georeferenced fault maps for commercial and utility-scale arrays.
Applus+ — Provides renewable energy inspection services using UAVs with thermal imaging and other sensors.
C2G Environmental — Offers solar field drone inspections using infrared and daylight cameras to identify faulty panels and production issues.
When contacting an inspector, ask whether they provide:
Radiometric thermal imagery (actual temperature measurements, not just color heat maps)
IEC 62446-3–aligned PV thermography reporting
Panel- or module-level fault mapping
GPS-tagged anomaly locations
Estimated production loss or repair prioritization
Both thermal and visible-light imagery for verification
If you share your location (city/state) and whether the system is residential rooftop, commercial rooftop, or a ground-mounted solar farm, I can narrow this down to nearby inspectors.
Depending on the size of your installation, you can look to a few different types of providers:
Specialized Solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance) Companies: Regional and national solar contractors often have dedicated service teams equipped with thermal cameras. If your original installer is still in business, contact them first to see if they offer diagnostic service calls.
Commercial Drone & Aerial Thermography Service Providers: For larger residential arrays or commercial/utility-scale fields, third-party drone service providers certified in infrared thermography (often Level 1 or Level 2 Thermographers certified by organizations like Infraspection Institute or ITC) can fly over your array and map out hot spots quickly.
Advanced Home Inspectors / Energy Auditors: Many modern, tech-forward home inspection companies (such as Green Scene Home Inspections in certain regions) carry commercial-grade thermal imaging gear and can perform diagnostic assessments on residential photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Specialized Solar Maintenance / Cleaning Services: Some localized solar care companies (such as Saturn Solar Cleaning ) incorporate thermal imaging diagnostics alongside routine cleaning and performance testing.
If you share your general location (city/state) and whether your system is residential or commercial/utility-scale , I can help narrow down specific types of local providers or what questions to ask them.
Nadar Drone Aerial Photography & Inspection - Chicago, IL 60646
Griffin Home Inspection Inc. - 10273 N Springhill Dr, St John, IN 46373, United States
Pottenger Electric Company - 4644 W 400th S, Tipton, IN 46072
SmartView Drone Inspections - Aerial and Thermal Imaging - 2156 Elkhorn Dr, Rochester Hills, MI 48307, United States
Heine Drone Inspections - North Bend, OH 45052
Heine Drone Inspections - 3904 Quadrant Dr, North Bend, OH 45052, United States
Drone Inspection Solutions - 16632 145th Pl, Lockport, IL 60441
If you're in Northwest Indiana, there are a few promising options. For solar-specific thermal imaging, I'd prioritize companies that explicitly inspect PV arrays rather than a general home inspector.
Infrared Testing Inc — Chicago-based thermography firm that specifically lists solar panel inspections and aerial infrared inspections. This is probably the strongest nearby specialist for a performance-diagnosis job.
Infrared Inspections Inc — Chicago-area infrared thermography provider specializing in non-destructive thermal inspections. I'd ask specifically whether they currently perform PV-array scans.
Why Thermographic Testing — based in Crown Point, so very convenient for Northwest Indiana. It specializes in thermographic testing, though I'd confirm that solar-panel arrays are within its scope.
Hawk Home Inspection — Highland-based and offers thermal imaging throughout Northwest Indiana, but its published service is geared more toward buildings/electrical systems than diagnosing individual PV modules.
Above All Drone Service — explicitly advertises , including identifying defective photovoltaic panels.
What I'd ask for
Tell the inspector you want a PV thermal/infrared inspection to identify underperforming modules, hot spots, bypass-diode problems, string abnormalities, or damaged cells. Ideally, they should provide an annotated thermal report showing the affected panels.
For a rooftop residential array, drone thermal imaging can be particularly useful because it can scan the entire array without walking on the roof. The scan needs appropriate operating conditions—good solar irradiance and sufficient load—so ask the company when they recommend performing it.
If you'd like, I can also narrow this down to 3–5 companies that specifically service Hammond/Northwest Indiana and provide phone numbers, pricing, and contact links.
Thermal imaging (infrared thermography) is one of the most effective ways to diagnose underperforming solar arrays. It highlights "hot spots" caused by micro-cracks, damaged bypass diodes, delamination, string failures, or heavy localized shading and dirt buildup.
Depending on whether you have a residential rooftop system or a large commercial/utility-scale solar farm, several types of providers offer these specialized inspections:
Dedicated Solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance) and Diagnostic Companies
Many regional and national solar contractors have expanded their service divisions specifically to handle troubleshooting and performance diagnostics.
They use specialized handheld thermal cameras or conduct electrical string testing alongside thermal scans.
Examples: Companies like Solar Medix (in the Northeast) or local certified solar repair technicians who explicitly advertise "solar diagnostics" or "performance testing."[2]
There are independent thermography and inspection firms that specialize in commercial electrical systems, building envelopes, and renewable energy assets.[1]
Certified thermographers (often Level I or Level II certified via organizations like ITC) know how to factor in environmental variables like solar irradiance and wind speed to ensure accurate readings.
Examples: Regional operations like Thermal Vision (Central Texas) or ElectroTherm Scans offer commercial electrical and renewable thermal documentation.[1][2]
Drone Service Providers (UAV Thermography)
For larger residential arrays, commercial roofs, or utility-scale solar farms, aerial drone inspections equipped with radiometric thermal cameras (like FLIR sensors) have become the industry gold standard.
A drone can scan thousands of panels in minutes, automatically geotagging hot spots and faulty modules into a comprehensive map report.
Look for local or national commercial drone operators certified in aerial thermography for solar assets.
Solar Cleaning Companies with Diagnostic Add-ons
Some advanced solar maintenance and cleaning companies include basic infrared or thermal imaging assessments as part of their routine maintenance or pre/post-cleaning verification packages.[1]
Example:Saturn Solar Cleaning (serving areas like San Diego) incorporates thermal imaging photography to check efficiency and spot damaged cells during cleanings.[1]
If you share your general location (city/state) and whether this is a residential rooftop or commercial array , I can help find specific local providers near you.
Solar Mite Solutions Llc - 1525 Corlies Ave, Neptune City, NJ 07753, United States
Jersey Infrared Consultants - 425 Ellis St, Burlington, NJ 08016, United States
Tri-Force Energy - 50 Division St Suite 501, Somerville, NJ 08876, United States
Ramere's Solar Cleaning - Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Solar X - Service & Maintenance Professionals - 1775 NJ-34 Ste B4, Wall Township, NJ 07727, United States
Solar Mite Solutions - Middletown, NJ 07748
Beach Infrared - Somerset, NJ 08873
QE Solar - 16 South Ave W, Ste 207, Cranford, NJ 07016
Ramere's Solar Cleaning L.L.C - 141 US-130, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, United States
Cooper Inspection Services - 601 Rte 206, Ste 26-410, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
If you're in central New Jersey, there are several companies that specifically offer infrared/thermal inspections of solar PV arrays:
Solar Mite Solutions Llc — Neptune City. Offers infrared scanning for residential systems and drone/handheld thermography for commercial arrays, along with IV-curve testing and troubleshooting.
Jersey Infrared Consultants — Burlington. A dedicated infrared-thermography firm that specifically lists photovoltaic inspections for finding deficiencies in panels, controls and wiring. They use certified thermographers and serve projects throughout NJ and beyond.
Tri-Force Energy — Somerville. Focused on commercial/utility solar and offers IR thermal imaging to identify hotspots and defects in modules, inverters and electrical components.
Ramere's Solar Cleaning — Cinnaminson. Provides thermal-imaging inspections for residential and commercial arrays, looking for hotspots, cell defects and electrical problems; advertises service throughout NJ.
Solar X - Service & Maintenance Professionals — Wall Township. Offers solar troubleshooting, production analysis and thermal imaging inspections, along with electrical and IV-curve testing.
ASAP NJ — South Jersey-based drone operator offering solar thermal scans starting around $499 for residential/small commercial systems, with thermal mapping of hot modules and string-level problems.
What I'd choose
For a system that's mysteriously producing less than expected, I'd favor a provider that can do more than just take thermal pictures. Ideally, ask for:
Thermal imaging under appropriate irradiance/load conditions
String/inverter-level production analysis
IV-curve testing, if warranted
Identification of hot cells, bypass-diode problems, failed modules, loose connections and string abnormalities
A report mapping the affected panels so your installer can repair them
If this is a home system, Solar Mite or Ramere's are worth calling. For a larger commercial array, I'd lean toward Jersey Infrared Consultants or Tri-Force Energy.
If you tell me roughly where you are in NJ and whether the array is residential or commercial, I can narrow this to the 3 closest/best options and compare their services and pricing.
Jersey Infrared Consultants — a particularly specialized option for PV thermography. They have been performing infrared photovoltaic surveys since 1984 and say their thermographers are certified by Infraspection Institute. Their surveys can identify defective cells, wiring problems, shading, and debris.
Atlantic Testing Services — based in Marlboro, NJ, and specifically advertises infrared PV testing under load, down to individual modules, along with electrical inspections of combiners, inverters, and distribution equipment.
ITI – Infrared Thermographic Inspections — Specializes in solar-field thermography, using thermal drones for large arrays and handheld cameras for follow-up.
Weller Infrared Services, Inc. — A Florida infrared-diagnostics specialist; worth contacting if you want a dedicated thermography company rather than a solar installer.
thermal drone inspections of solar installations in Illinois and Northwest Indiana
Follow how AI answers questions like this in Commercial Drone Inspection & Mapping Solutions.
The Solar Repair or localized cleaning-and-diagnostic outfits frequently bundle thermal scans).[1][2]
SkyVisor ) use UAVs equipped with radiometric thermal cameras to quickly scan hundreds of panels and pinpoint cell-level anomalies via AI defect detection.
