Objectives of the service
JP-VISION addresses the needs of photovoltaic plant operators who require reliable, repeatable, and fast inspection processes to identify anomalies, performance losses, and operational defects. Traditional inspection methods, often based on manual activities or non-standardized analyses, lead to high time consumption, significant costs, and limited comparability of results over time.
The service provides an integrated solution that combines remotely piloted aerial platforms equipped with high-resolution thermal and optical sensors with a data processing system based on artificial intelligence and automated image analysis. The system enables the identification of individual photovoltaic modules, panel-level thermal analysis, and the systematic detection of the main operational anomalies.
Inspections are planned and executed in a structured manner, while the acquired data are automatically processed and made available through a centralized web platform. This allows remote monitoring of photovoltaic plants and access to structured and georeferenced reports.
The activity project aims to develop, integrate, and validate this end-to-end operational chain, reducing inspection costs, improving analysis reliability, and supporting preventive maintenance strategies and efficient energy asset management.
Users and their needs
JP-VISION is currently targeted at user communities active in the photovoltaic plant operation and maintenance sector. The users involved in the project activities include photovoltaic plant operators, energy companies, inspection and maintenance service providers, and asset managers responsible for medium- and large-scale photovoltaic installations.
The primary target users are located in Italy, with applications and interest extending to the European context, particularly in countries characterised by a high penetration of large-scale photovoltaic plants.
The main user needs can be summarised as follows:
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accurate and systematic identification of thermal anomalies and photovoltaic module defects.
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repeatable and standardised inspections, enabling results to be comparable over time.
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reduction of time and costs associated with on-site inspection activities.
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rapid access to results through digital tools, without the need for advanced specialist expertise.
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ability to remotely monitor photovoltaic plants and support preventive maintenance decisions.
The main challenges for the project include ensuring high reliability of automated analyses, integrating the results into existing operational workflows, and transforming large volumes of acquired data into clear, usable information that directly supports decision-making processes.
Service/ system concept
JP-VISION provides users with structured and immediately usable information on the operational status of photovoltaic plants, enabling the rapid and repeatable identification of anomalies, defects, and performance losses. The system delivers panel-level results, including thermal maps, precise localisation of critical issues, and concise reports that support operational and maintenance decision-making.
The service integrates several key functionalities: automated inspection planning, data acquisition using drones, centralised image processing, and analysis based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The collected data are transformed into clear and organised information and made accessible through a web platform that allows users to review results and inspection history.
From an operational perspective, the system works in a simple way. The user defines the area to be inspected, the flight is executed according to standardised parameters, and the acquired data are automatically uploaded and processed. The system analyses the images, identifies photovoltaic modules, and detects potential anomalies, making the results available without the need for complex manual intervention.
At a high level, the system architecture is based on three main elements: an aerial data acquisition component, a central data processing system, and a web platform for accessing results. This modular structure supports a reliable and scalable end-to-end workflow, from data collection to information visualisation.
Space Added Value
JP-VISION uses space assets based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to ensure high geometric accuracy and full traceability of photovoltaic inspections. In particular, the system employs high-precision satellite positioning solutions based on Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) techniques integrated on aerial platforms, allowing each acquired image and measurement to be associated with precise and repeatable geographic coordinates.
The use of high-accuracy GNSS positioning, combined with artificial intelligence and computer vision algorithms, enables the automatic recognition of individual photovoltaic modules and the accurate localisation of anomalies at panel level. This represents a significant added value compared to traditional methods or competing solutions that do not rely on advanced space assets and are based on manual flights or limited georeferencing accuracy.
During the project, the use of alternative GNSS-based solutions, such as the Galileo High Accuracy Service and Precise Point Positioning (PPP) techniques, has also been assessed as complementary or alternative options to RTK, in order to evaluate flexible positioning approaches suitable for different operational contexts.
Overall, the use and combination of high-precision GNSS space assets allow JP-VISION to deliver objective, time-comparable, and directly usable data, improving the reliability of analyses and the efficiency of inspection and maintenance activities.
Current Status
The JP-VISION project is currently in an advanced development and internal validation phase. The overall system architecture and all core software components have been implemented, including the flight application, the central data processing system, and the web platform for accessing results.
An integrated end-to-end workflow covering mission planning, data acquisition, automated image analysis, and report generation has been implemented and internally validated. Several inspection missions on photovoltaic plants have been executed and processed, enabling the analysis of complete datasets and the generation of panel-level results.
The solution was publicly presented at KEY Energy 2025, a leading international conference and exhibition dedicated to renewable energy and energy transition technologies, where the solution and its capabilities were introduced to professional stakeholders and industry representatives. The project was further showcased at KEY Energy 2026, where a more immersive demonstration was provided, including the on-site presence of a drone and the simulation of a photovoltaic plant inspection in a demo scenario.
This hands-on approach allowed participants to better understand the capabilities and results achievable through the JP-VISION service. The feedback collected during the event confirmed strong interest from the Italian market, particularly among photovoltaic system designers and O&M companies and highlighted a clear appreciation of the quality and level of refinement targeted by the solution.
In parallel, internal testing activities have been carried out to verify system stability, data consistency, and integration between components. Preliminary activities related to serial number identification using high-resolution imagery have also been performed as part of the internal validation work.
The project successfully passed the Factory Acceptance Tests review meeting in June 2026. The next milestone is the onSite Acceptance Tests review meeting and start of trial activities which are expected around September 2026.
