As solar fleets scale, conventional aerial visual and thermal inspections are no longer enough to catch the complex mechanical and physical degradation threatening long-term asset performance. From unseen back-of-module defects to subtle tracker misalignment, critical operational risks often lie just beyond traditional view.
In this webinar by Zeitview, we will explore how advances in AI and cutting-edge visual inspection technology are expanding visibility across solar operations. The session will highlight next-generation inspection capabilities, including back-of-module analysis and row-level 3D structural mapping, examining real-world examples of detected anomalies and the downstream asset management decisions they enable.
We will conclude with a practical framework for how site operations and asset management teams can evaluate new inspection methodologies based on the specific operational decisions they unlock, helping turn raw inspection data into actionable, high-ROI maintenance workflows.
pv magazine Webinar Content:
- Expanding Asset Visibility: How emerging inspection technologies go beyond basic thermal scans to surface hidden risks across utility-scale and C&I solar sites
- AI and Computer Vision in Practice: How automated data processing translates raw imagery into prioritized, actionable maintenance findings
- Integrating Back-of-Module Inspections: Where rear-side module condition monitoring fits within a comprehensive O&M strategy
- 3D Structural and Tracker Mapping: How row-level angle mapping uncovers structural alignment issues and mechanical failures that standard visual and thermal tools miss
- Data-Driven Decision Making: How evaluation frameworks help operations teams select the right inspection tools to maximize operational uptime and asset longevity
- Q&A
Speaker
Fran García is Solutions Manager for Geospatial at Zeitview, where he leads geospatial processing and develops solutions such as Solar Optimization, hydrological analysis, and pile height verification. With more than 12 years in the solar industry, he specialises in drone photogrammetry, LiDAR, and GNSS-based measurement of PV plants.
Fan Zhang is a Senior Technical Product Specialist on the Solar team at Zeitview, where he leads aerial inspection analysis and quality control. With over a decade in the climate and solar industry, he helps asset owners, EPCs, and O&M providers turn inspection findings into clear maintenance decisions. He also drives internal solar science learning and standardization, shaping how defects are classified and reported.
Moderator
Ryan joined pv magazine in 2021, bringing experience from a top residential solar installer and a U.S.-based inverter manufacturer. He holds a Master of Energy and Environmental Management degree at the University of Connecticut and a degree in Management with a certification in Sustainable Business Practices from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.