Top Things to Consider Before Buying an Autonomous Drone
16/04/2025
Autonomous drones promise efficiency, consistency, and better data for solar asset monitoring. But the reality is, not every site or business model is suited to drone-in-a-box automation. If you’re considering investing in an autonomous drone solution for your Solar plant, here are six critical factors to evaluate before making the leap.
1. Site Infrastructure & Connectivity
Autonomous drones rely on robust internet connectivity to upload flight data, trigger remote missions, and sync with cloud platforms. If your site lacks reliable 4G/5G or Wi-Fi coverage, especially in remote areas, you may need to invest in comms infrastructure just to get started. Before purchase, check:
Is your site connected well enough to support remote operations?
Will your drone station need a dedicated network connection?
Are there fallback options for connectivity issues?
2. Purpose & Frequency of Operations
Not all drone use cases require constant autonomy. Ask yourself:
Is this a site that needs weekly inspections or just an annual thermal sweep?
Will the drone be idle most of the year?
Are there additional use cases beyond thermography, such as panel soiling checks, maintenance status, and security status inspections that justify the investment?
Autonomous systems make the most sense when missions are frequent and can reduce the amount of site visits needed.
3. Platform Integration & Data Use
The drone flight is just one part of the equation. The real value lies in how the data flows into your operations. Autonomous drones should:
Deliver insights in actionable formats, such as flagged module faults or hotspot clusters.
Integrate with your existing O&M or CMMS platforms.
Support traceability and reporting needs for audits, warranty claims, and performance reviews.
If your team can’t easily use the data, it’s not delivering ROI.
4. Regulatory Approvals & Airspace Restrictions
Drone-in-a-box systems often require regulatory permissions, varying by country and region. Key questions to ask:
Is the site in controlled airspace or near airports?
What are the BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) rules locally?
How long does approval take in your country, and is it renewable?
Don’t underestimate how much paperwork and delay can be involved in gaining legal permissions to fly autonomously.
5. Hardware Suitability & Weather Resilience
Autonomous drones typically live on-site, in weatherproof stations. However, not all boxes or drones are built equally. You’ll want to know:
Can the station handle local weather conditions like wind, rain, heat or dust?
How many days per year is the drone realistically able to fly based on historic weather data?
Is there a maintenance or servicing requirement for the station and the drone?
For example, UK-based sites may only offer 40 to 60 good flying days per year, so the ROI must match that usage.
6. True ROI vs Traditional Site Visits
Finally, consider how autonomous drone inspections stack up against traditional drone service provider (DSP) site visits. The investment in an autonomous system is not just financial, it’s also operational. Compare:
Cost per inspection over a year (autonomous vs. service provider)
Data quality and turnaround time
Operational burden on your team to maintain and manage the system
In some cases, outsourcing may still offer better value for lower-frequency inspections.
Final Thoughts
Autonomous drones offer incredible potential, but only if they’re deployed in the right environment, with clear expectations and robust data workflows. Before making your decision, take time to assess your site’s infrastructure, operational needs, regulatory environment, and long-term ROI. The best drone for your solar farm is the one that works for your team, not the other way around.
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