A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property; a solar panel that is configured to generate and output power; and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit is configured to: monitor the power outputted by the solar panel; determine that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from an expected power range; based on determining that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from the expected power range, access the sensor data; based on the power outputted by the solar panel and the sensor data, determine a likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range; and determine an action to perform to remediate the likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range.

A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property; a solar panel that is configured to generate and output power; and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit is configured to: monitor the power outputted by the solar panel; determine that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from an expected power range; based on determining that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from the expected power range, access the sensor data; based on the power outputted by the solar panel and the sensor data, determine a likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range; and determine an action to perform to remediate the likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range.

A method for inspecting a solar panel of a solar power station is performed in a controller for an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and includes the steps of: receiving an inspection request for a subset of the solar panels navigating, in a first stage, using radio signals, the UAV to an initial location in a vicinity of a particular solar panel of the subset of solar panels; positioning, in a second stage, the UAV using at least one near field sensor of the UAV; and capturing, using the infrared camera, an image of the particular solar panel.

A system and method for localization and calibration of a heliostat is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and a camera configured to acquire images of a plurality of heliostats. The controller and camera are configured to acquire a first image of the plurality of heliostats, move one of the plurality of heliostats, acquire a second image of the plurality of heliostats, generate a difference image by subtracting the second image from the first image, identify the heliostat that was moved based on the difference image, and calibrate the position or orientation of the heliostat based on the difference image. The difference image is generated by pixel-wise subtraction of the second image from the first image. The pixel-wise subtraction exposes the heliostat and enables the calibration of the position and/or orientation of known heliostat positions.

A system and method for localization and calibration of a heliostat is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and a camera configured to acquire images of a plurality of heliostats. The controller and camera are configured to acquire a first image of the plurality of heliostats, move one of the plurality of heliostats, acquire a second image of the plurality of heliostats, generate a difference image by subtracting the second image from the first image, identify the heliostat that was moved based on the difference image, and calibrate the position or orientation of the heliostat based on the difference image. The difference image is generated by pixel-wise subtraction of the second image from the first image. The pixel-wise subtraction exposes the heliostat and enables the calibration of the position and/or orientation of known heliostat positions.

A method and a system for positioning an apparatus for monitoring a parameter of one or more parabolic reflectors of a solar thermal field, wherein the method comprises positioning the apparatus at a first field location responsive to the position of the respective parabolic reflector, acquiring information of an absorber tube of the respective parabolic reflector, and positioning the apparatus at the second field location responsive to the information of the absorber tube, the second field location being beyond the focus of the respective parabolic reflector is provided.

A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property; a solar panel that is configured to generate and output power; and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit is configured to: monitor the power outputted by the solar panel; determine that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from an expected power range; based on determining that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from the expected power range, access the sensor data; based on the power outputted by the solar panel and the sensor data, determine a likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range; and determine an action to perform to remediate the likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range.

The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance, operation, optimization, and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas, e.g., for repair, operation, calibration, testing, maintenance, adjustment, cleaning, improving the efficiency, and tracking the Sun.

The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance, operation, optimization, and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas, e.g., for repair, operation, calibration, testing, maintenance, adjustment, cleaning, improving the efficiency, and tracking the Sun.

The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance, operation, optimization, and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas, e.g., for repair, operation, calibration, testing, maintenance, adjustment, cleaning, improving the efficiency, and tracking the Sun.