Professional guide
Drone Inspection and Thermography in Switzerland
In Switzerland, drone inspection is increasingly replacing scaffolding and aerial platforms for checking roofs, façades and photovoltaic installations. Fitted with a thermal camera, a drone such as the DJI Matrice 4T (112x hybrid zoom) detects hot spots and faulty cells across a solar panel field in a single flight. Swisscom, for its part, operates a nationwide drone network for large-scale infrastructure inspection.
Why inspect a building or installation by drone
Drone inspection removes the need to set up scaffolding or an aerial platform to examine a roof, façade or high-altitude line. The flight takes a few dozen minutes and requires no one to work at height, reducing both accident risk and intervention cost.
The drone produces a georeferenced report: every detected anomaly (crack, water infiltration, hot spot) is precisely located on a map or orthophoto, making it easier to track repairs over time.
Thermal imaging of photovoltaic installations
Aerial thermography is the most common use of drone inspection in Switzerland. An onboard thermal camera flies over a solar panel field and reveals faulty cells, hot spots and connection defects invisible from the ground.
This method applies equally to residential roofs and industrial installations spanning several thousand square metres, with intervention times far shorter than a manual panel-by-panel check.
Inspecting façades, infrastructure and civil structures
Beyond solar, drones inspect façades, bridges, power lines and civil structures. Swisscom operates a Switzerland-wide drone network for this type of large-scale inspection, a sign of the technology's maturity in the Swiss market.
High-resolution images and thermal captures document a structure's condition before and after works, with comparable records from one inspection to the next.
Equipment used: drones and thermal sensors
The DJI Matrice 4T, with its high-resolution thermal camera and 112x hybrid zoom, is the reference device for professional inspection; pricing around EUR 7,700 has been observed at a European retailer. The Autel EVO Max 4T, around USD 5,700 (US price), is an alternative with an integrated thermal sensor.
The choice of equipment depends on the type of mission: thermal resolution required, flight endurance, and compatibility with the image-processing software used by the provider.
- DJI Matrice 4T — high-resolution thermal, 112x hybrid zoom
- Autel EVO Max 4T — integrated thermal sensor
Specialised Swiss providers
Several Swiss providers offer drone inspection and thermography. In French-speaking Switzerland: Altidrone and Dronetarget.ch for PV thermography, Drone GVA in Geneva (SORA-certified for flights over populated areas) and Aero Peak in Fribourg for infrastructure and energy.
In German-speaking Switzerland: Infragon Ingenieure AG combines industrial inspection with solar panel cleaning, YasiBot Solutions pairs cleaning with inspection of roofs, façades and PV installations, and Air-Shot.ch covers PV monitoring, thermography and surveying. SaferC.ch operates across solar, construction and industry.
- Altidrone, Dronetarget.ch — PV thermography (French-speaking Switzerland)
- Drone GVA — Geneva, SORA-certified
- Aero Peak — Fribourg, infrastructure & energy
- Infragon Ingenieure AG, YasiBot Solutions, Air-Shot.ch, SaferC.ch — German-speaking Switzerland
How to choose a drone inspection provider
The right provider depends on the type of asset to inspect (residential roof, industrial solar field, civil structure) and the purpose of the report (preventive maintenance, pre-purchase assessment, insurance follow-up).
SinoDrone lists active Swiss providers for inspection and thermography and points you to the provider best suited to your project and region.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone thermal inspection cost in Switzerland?
The price depends on the surface area to cover and the type of report requested. Swiss providers generally charge a flat fee per intervention rather than by the hour; an accurate quote requires the surface area, site access and the type of installation to inspect.
Can a drone replace a traditional visual check of solar panels?
For detecting hot spots and faulty cells, aerial thermography is faster and more systematic than a panel-by-panel visual check. It does not, however, replace an in-depth electrical assessment in the case of a confirmed anomaly.
Is a permit required to have a roof inspected by drone in Switzerland?
Drone flights in Switzerland are regulated by FOCA according to the weight of the device and the area flown over. A professional provider handles these authorisations directly; some, such as Drone GVA, are SORA-certified to fly over populated areas.
What is the difference between thermography and photogrammetry?
Thermography captures temperature variations to detect defects invisible to the eye, such as hot spots or water infiltration. Photogrammetry reconstructs a 3D model or orthophoto from standard photos; the two techniques are often combined within the same mission.
Is drone inspection also suitable for façades and bridges?
Yes: beyond roofs and solar installations, drones inspect façades, lines and civil structures. Swisscom in fact operates a nationwide drone network for this type of large-scale inspection.
How long does a drone inspection take?
An inspection flight typically lasts from a few minutes to a few dozen minutes depending on the surface area, compared with several hours for a manual check using scaffolding or an aerial platform.