Irradia Energía partners with GMV to implement uPathWay for autonomous solar plant inspections

Irradia Energía and GMV have successfully completed a series of functional tests using  uPathWay for the autonomous inspection of photovoltaic infrastructures at one of their solar parks, without direct human intervention.

These tests represent a significant milestone in the advanced automation of solar plant maintenance, enabling robots managed by uPathWay to carry out complex tasks such as thermal inspections, fault detection, and preventive surveillance, with greater coverage than current solutions.

Total vision ground inspection of solar infrastructure

The robots used in this campaign are capable of performing simultaneous thermal inspections on both the top and lower structures of the solar panels. Unlike aerial systems, which offer a limited view of visible surfaces, this solution can thoroughly analyze key components often overlooked from the air, such as clips, fuse holders, fasteners, and wiring.

This provides a clear advantage in detecting hidden faults that could impact energy performance, preventing unexpected shutdowns or efficiency losses.

Additionally, the use of the GMV GSharp precise positioning system ensures detailed tracking of each panel individually, allowing for more meticulous equipment monitoring.

Centralized and remote management

The uPathWay platform, developed by GMV, enables centralized, remote, and scalable management of these autonomous robots. This allows operators to plan missions, monitor execution in real-time, and receive automatic alerts if anomalies are detected.

Key functionalities demonstrated during the tests include:

• Detection of thermal anomalies using specialized sensors.
• Identification of issues with connections and structural wiring.
• Evaluation of the operational efficiency of solar modules.
• Autonomous navigation along optimized routes without human intervention.

This approach allows for systematic coverage of large areas, reducing manual labor and minimizing risks associated with traditional maintenance methods.

Towards safer, more efficient, and predictive maintenance

Integrating autonomous robotic systems into energy infrastructure management is a key step in the renewable sector's digitalization and automation efforts. In large-scale solar plants, uPathWay facilitates safer operations, enhances traceability, and reduces operational costs, aligning with sustainability and energy efficiency objectives.

With this, GMV reaffirms its commitment to applying disruptive technologies across strategic sectors, establishing its uPathWay platform as a versatile solution for multiple industrial domains, including energy, agribusiness, logistics, and critical infrastructure inspections.