C‑DRONE
Thermal-camera drone inspecting rooftop solar panels

🌡️ AERIAL THERMAL IMAGING · GRENOBLE (38) · €500–1,800 PER JOB

Drone aerial thermal imaging in Grenoble

Drone thermography pairs a calibrated radiometric infrared camera with aerial mobility: in a single flight it reveals heat loss from a roof, insulation defects in a building envelope, failing photovoltaic panels (hot spots, blown diodes, dead strings), leaks in buried heat networks and water ingress beneath waterproofing membranes. Every pixel carries a usable temperature measurement, not just a colour.

Our thermal flights respect proper measurement conditions (indoor/outdoor temperature differential, absence of direct sun where required, humidity) and are paired with visible imagery to locate each anomaly. The report, produced in radiometric software by an operator trained in building thermography, locates and quantifies every defect. It is the reference tool for energy audits, photovoltaic plant operation and large-scale leak detection.

Free quote — aerial thermal imaging in Grenoble

Rates

€500–1,800 per job — the range observed on the 2026 French market, including regulatory preparation, flight and delivery. The exact quote depends on the site, the deliverable and the airspace context in Grenoble.

Common use cases

The local context in Grenoble

Grenoble carries a rare constraint: the scientific peninsula (CEA, the Laue-Langevin Institute reactor, the ESRF synchrotron) is under a permanent no-fly zone. Add the Le Versoud airfield to the north-east, heavy mountain-rescue helicopter traffic and relief (Vercors, Chartreuse, Belledonne) that channels winds and radio links. The 120-metre rule is measured from ground level — a key point on steep terrain.

The Grenoble market is both high-tech and alpine: industrial inspections for microelectronics (STMicroelectronics, Soitec), thermography of a housing stock deep into energy retrofits, construction monitoring on scarce land, and imagery of the Bastille, its cable cars and nearby resorts for year-round tourism.

Applicable regulations

Thermography follows the rules of the site being flown: open category A2/A3 for ground-mounted solar farms and buildings in clear areas (professional thermal drones usually exceed 900 g), specific category STS-01 with prefectural declaration for buildings in built-up areas. One specificity: building thermal flights are ideally flown at dawn or at night in winter, yet night flying is prohibited in the open category — it requires a specific-category authorisation or falls back on permitted dawn/dusk slots. Height under 120 m, AlphaTango operator registration, and particular care with parasitic reflections, which dictate controlled shooting angles.

Frequently asked questions

What time of year should building thermography be done?

From October to April, when the gap between the heated interior and the outside reaches at least 10°C. Flights take place early in the morning, before the sun warms the walls and skews the readings.

How much solar capacity can be inspected in one day?

An automated flight covers 10 to 20 MWp per day depending on the plant layout, with automatic hot-spot detection and each faulty module located by its coordinates.

Does the thermal camera measure exact temperatures?

Yes, provided a calibrated radiometric camera is used and material emissivity and ambient conditions are entered: typical accuracy is then ±2°C, sufficient for any building or photovoltaic survey.

Can this service be flown anywhere in Grenoble?

Almost: Zone interdite de la presqu'île scientifique (CEA, ILL, ESRF); Aérodrome de Grenoble-Le Versoud; Hélicoptères de secours en montagne et relief marqué. Depending on the exact location, the pilot picks the right framework (open or specific category) and files the required declarations — included in the quote.

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