There is a critical difference between a folder of thermal images and an IEC 62446-3 compliant inspection report. The first is data. The second is a defensible document that lenders accept, insurers honour, and acquirers rely on in due diligence. Many inspections fail not because the imaging was poor, but because the report omitted required elements and was rejected downstream.
This article breaks down exactly what a compliant report must contain, section by section, and why each part matters. For the conditions and methodology behind the inspection itself, see our IEC 62446-3 standard guide.
Why Reports Get Rejected
A thermal image showing a hotspot proves nothing on its own. Without the environmental conditions logged at capture, the camera calibration data, and a standardized severity classification, an insurer cannot verify the finding and an acquirer cannot price it. Reports that skip these elements are treated as anecdotal — interesting, but not actionable in a claim or transaction.
The test: Could a third party who was not present at the inspection independently verify and act on every finding in the report? If not, it isn't compliant — regardless of image quality.
Section 1 — Site & System Identification
The report opens with unambiguous identification: plant name, location coordinates, total installed capacity, module count and model, inverter configuration, and string layout reference. This anchors every subsequent anomaly to a specific physical location.
Section 2 — Environmental Conditions Log
This is the section most often missing. The report must document the conditions at the time of capture: irradiance (W/m²) measured in the module plane, ambient temperature, wind speed, and sky/cloud conditions. These prove the inspection met the IEC minimum conditions (irradiance ≥ 600 W/m², wind ≤ 4 m/s). Without this log, the thermal readings cannot be validated.
Section 3 — Equipment & Calibration
The report records the camera make and model, detector resolution, thermal sensitivity (NETD), the emissivity setting applied, and the calibration certificate reference and date. This establishes that the instrument was capable of and configured for valid PV thermography.
Section 4 — Anomaly Inventory
The core of the report. Every detected anomaly is listed with a unique identifier, GPS coordinates or string/module reference, the measured temperature differential (ΔT), and its IEC severity class:
| Class | ΔT | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | < 10 K | Minor — monitor next cycle |
| Class 2 | 10–20 K | Moderate — repair within 6 months |
| Class 3 | ≥ 20 K or string-level | Severe — immediate action, fire-risk review |
For more on what these anomalies physically represent, see solar panel hotspots explained.
Section 5 — Annotated Imagery
Each anomaly is supported by a calibrated thermal image, marked and cross-referenced to the inventory. Radiometric format preserves the per-pixel temperature data so a reviewer can verify the ΔT independently.
Section 6 — Impact & Recommendations
Finally, the report quantifies business impact: estimated affected capacity (kWp), projected annual generation loss (MWh), and a prioritized remediation plan. This turns a technical inventory into a decision document an asset manager can budget against.
White-Label Delivery
For drone operators and O&M providers, the report is the product their client sees. Every report we produce is white-label ready — your branding, your client relationship, our analysis engine behind it. Send us the imagery; we return the finished compliant report.