The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced up to AUD 3.96 million ($2.63 million) funding for Lab360 Solar, a University of New South Wales (UNSW) start-up, to develop and trial drone-based inspection technology aimed at improving the monitoring of large-scale solar farms.
Supported under ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program, the initiative focuses on refining Daylight Photoluminescence (DL) imaging to detect panel faults, down to the individual cells, with greater precision and at lower costs.
In contrast to the current practice of performance monitoring through various methods like inverter-level current-voltage data, visual inspection, and other imaging techniques, this assessment will be easier to use than traditional approaches, explained ARENA.
While photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) tests are conducted in carefully designed, light-tight enclosures, Lab360’s DPL imaging technique reduces the need for heavy equipment and simplifies operations. It also scores over the other approach of night-time EL (nEL) imaging, the agency adds.
“This technology (Lab360 DPL imaging) has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of solar farm diagnostics. By spotting issues early and reducing the need for heavy equipment and associated labour, this innovation helps operators get the most out of their solar panels and supports Australia’s clean energy future,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.
Backed by ARENA, Lab360 plans to combine DPL hardware with a commercial drone and related software to create its final product. It has exclusive rights to key UNSW patents and aims to commercialize the technology through this project by developing better luminescence-based testing for large solar farms.
“Once rolled out commercially, first in Australia and then globally, it will be central to ensuring that photovoltaic panels are a reliable and sustainable cornerstone of the future energy mix, by enabling better monitoring, early fault detection and long-term performance of solar assets,” said Lab360 CEO Thorsten Trupke.
Earlier in July 2025, Lab360 Solar also won AUD 1.77 million in state funding under New South Wales’ Clean Technology Innovation Grants (see Printed Solar Technology Among Winners Of AUD 26.2 Million Grant).
