See Temperature Patterns That Visible Imagery Cannot
Radiometric thermal imaging provides another layer of information for evaluating roofs, building envelopes, solar assets, and other systems where temperature differences may reveal conditions that are not visible to the eye.
Thermal Data With Visual Context
Thermal imagery is most useful when it is captured under appropriate conditions, interpreted alongside visible imagery, and documented in a way that allows anomalies to be located and reviewed. Aerial Insights combines radiometric thermal data with high-resolution RGB imagery to create clear inspection records for further evaluation.
Thermal Inspection Capabilities
Each application uses temperature patterns differently, so the flight conditions, capture method, and analysis workflow should be matched to the asset being inspected.
Thermal Roof Inspections
Commercial roofing systems can be inspected for thermal patterns that may indicate areas of retained moisture or differences within the roofing assembly.
- Commercial flat and low-slope roofs
- Thermal anomaly identification
- Potential moisture-related patterns
- RGB reference imagery
- Radiometric thermal data
- Inspection documentation
Building Envelope Thermal Inspections
Exterior thermal imaging can help identify temperature patterns associated with insulation deficiencies, heat loss, air leakage, moisture conditions, and envelope irregularities.
- Exterior wall scanning
- Insulation anomaly screening
- Thermal bridging patterns
- Potential air-leakage indicators
- Moisture-related anomaly screening
- RGB and thermal comparison
Solar Thermal Inspections
Thermal aerial inspection can quickly screen large solar arrays for temperature anomalies that may indicate individual module or system performance issues.
- Utility-scale solar arrays
- Commercial rooftop solar
- Module hotspot identification
- Thermal anomaly documentation
- RGB reference capture
- Repeat inspection programs
Radiometric Thermal Data
Radiometric imagery stores temperature information within the thermal image rather than simply producing a colored representation of heat patterns. This allows captured imagery to be reviewed and analyzed after the inspection.
Temperature measurements are evaluated in context because emissivity, reflected temperature, environmental conditions, surface materials, viewing angle, and other factors can affect thermal readings.
- Temperature-measurable thermal imagery
- Post-flight thermal analysis
- Hotspot and anomaly review
- Thermal and RGB correlation
- Image-level documentation
- Exportable inspection records
Anomaly Detection, Not Guesswork
Thermal imaging identifies temperature patterns. It does not automatically determine the underlying cause. Findings can be used to direct further investigation, maintenance, moisture verification, electrical testing, or other appropriate follow-up inspection.
Capture Conditions Matter
Good thermal inspection data depends on environmental and operational conditions. The appropriate inspection window varies with the type of asset being evaluated.
Roofing
Roof thermal inspections require suitable weather history, dry surface conditions, limited wind, and enough thermal loading or cooling to create meaningful differences between roofing areas.
Building Envelopes
Envelope inspections generally benefit from a meaningful indoor-to-outdoor temperature difference and environmental conditions that reduce solar loading and other misleading surface effects.
Solar Arrays
Solar thermal inspection requires operating modules and appropriate irradiance and weather conditions so abnormal temperature patterns can be distinguished from normal environmental variation.
Site-Specific Planning
Flight altitude, viewing angle, weather, wind, surface materials, asset condition, and inspection objective are considered when planning the capture workflow.
A Structured Thermal Inspection Workflow
Define the Inspection
Identify the asset, inspection objective, environmental requirements, and capture conditions.
Collect Thermal + RGB
Capture radiometric thermal imagery along with visual reference imagery from appropriate positions and angles.
Review Anomalies
Examine thermal patterns and temperature differences while correlating findings with visible site conditions.
Build the Record
Organize thermal and RGB imagery into a clear record for client review and follow-up investigation.
Thermal Inspection Deliverables
Deliverables can be tailored to the project and the level of documentation required.
Thermal Imagery
Radiometric thermal images documenting identified areas, temperature patterns, and inspection conditions.
RGB Reference Imagery
High-resolution visible images help correlate thermal anomalies with physical features and asset locations.
Inspection Documentation
Organized findings, annotated imagery, anomaly locations, temperature information, and project-specific reports.
Add Thermal Data to the Inspection
Whether the target is a commercial roof, building envelope, or solar array, Aerial Insights can build a thermal capture and documentation workflow around the asset and inspection objective.
Discuss Your Thermal Inspection