Hotspots: Hot danger on the roof
🔥 Suddenly the solar system caught fire… 🔥
The cause?
A small, invisible defect – an overheated plug connector – had developed into a dangerous weak point over a period of months. Not visible to the naked eye. But when it was too late, the overheating caused a fire that destroyed the entire system.
But it’s not just plug connectors that are a danger. Hotspots, defective junction boxes with corroded or loose contacts, defective bypass diodes or faulty cabling can also lead to fires – often completely unnoticed. Particularly problematic are:
- Incorrectly crimped plugs,
- Porosity due to UV light,
- Mechanical damage or corrosion of the metal contacts,
- Inadequate cabling,
all of which can cause a plug to heat up, short circuit or form an arc.
„With the help of thermography, you can also specifically recognise hotspots at over 100° – a decisive factor in fire prevention.“
How drone thermography makes hidden dangers visible
With a regular thermographic inspection, hidden sources of danger can be recognised before they become critical, for example:
- Defective plug connector: Overheated plugs show up as thermal anomalies, which are often difficult to see in a rooftop system
- Hotspots: Microcracks, shading or material defects that are not visible to the naked eye.
- Overheated junction boxes & faulty connections: Local temperature deviations are easily identified by thermography.
The result:
✅ Lower fire risk – Small defects do not escalate into major damage.
✅ Protection of human life– Early detection of hazardous areas protects operators, inspectors and residents from potential fire risks.
✅ Cost savings– Early maintenance is cheaper than an expensive repair.
✅ More operational safety– Operators are supported in fulfilling legal regulations and insurance guidelines.
✅ Longer service life of the PV system – Regular inspections ensure that the system remains efficient in the long term.