Durham County Council has transformed its solar panel inspections, reducing the process from several days to just 80 minutes, using innovative drone technology.
The inspection was carried out at Morrison Busty, the UK’s first low-carbon depot, which houses 5,000 solar panels across a 23-acre site.
Using a thermal drone pilots from heliguy—a leading drone supplier—conducted the inspection, quickly identifying issues like disconnected lines or faulty panels that may be invisible to the naked eye.
“This technology enables quick identification of issues without the need for time-consuming physical inspections,” said Alex Williams, Technical Geospatial Specialist at heliguy.
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Morrison Busty, reopened in 2023 following an £8.3 million eco-renovation, is a key part of the council’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
The depot features solar farms, battery storage, electric vehicle charging and private wire networks, saving 1,000 tonnes of carbon annually.