Core Viewpoint - The Chinese photovoltaic industry is leveraging digitalization to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs, transitioning from traditional manual inspection methods to automated drone inspections [1][2][3] Group 1: Industry Transformation - The scale of photovoltaic installations in China continues to expand, with large solar bases equipped with millions of solar panels [1] - Traditional inspection methods relied heavily on human labor, which was time-consuming and limited by subjective judgment and visual blind spots [1][2] - The introduction of drone technology for inspections is revolutionizing operational maintenance, allowing for efficient and precise monitoring of vast solar fields [1][2] Group 2: Technological Advancements - Each drone is equipped with two high-precision sensors: a visible light camera for detecting millimeter-level cracks and an infrared thermal imager for identifying temperature anomalies [2] - The automation of data collection and reporting processes has significantly reduced inspection time by over 90%, with one drone completing the work of five inspectors in a week [2] - The shift from periodic inspections to real-time monitoring enhances fault detection and response times, translating into increased economic benefits for solar power stations [2] Group 3: Strategic Implications - The application of intelligent drone inspections supports China's strategic goals for energy digitalization and the development of a new power system [3] - This initiative not only aims to reduce costs and improve efficiency at individual solar stations but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving a green and low-carbon energy transition [3]