Featured Product in the Wild: Using the tCam-Mini for Solar Panels
What product was used?
Specifications of the tCam attachment system for the drone
This In The Wild feature uses custom 3D printed parts of the attachment system and is attached by hand to fit the gimbal top plates, cable ties, bolts and nuts to attach the holder to the drone with an iron wire. By being able to utilize the GoPro’s design, the camera angle must be straight down upon the solar panels so that it will be possible to measure in order to reduce reflections. A power bank is attached to one of the Typhoon H’s motor arm so that the tCam can maintain power via the USB-C cable.
All yellow parts are 3D printed
Thermal cameras can be used to investigate solar panels and radiometrically measure the data. Since solar panels are often connected in a series, when there is one panel that produces a lower current - it often means the whole solar panel system current will fail to that same level of the damaged cell. This has a direct effect on the power of the solar panel system.
The damaged cell can show up hotter than other panels, so the thermal camera can reveal damaged panels by that way.
