Checklist Data Acquisition Online Flights and Offline Flights

Make sure that the serial number of the drone matches the drone actually used. Replacing the drone, even if it is the same model, requires an individual camera calibration. Data obtained with drones without camera calibration cannot be evaluated!

Wind speed below 5 m/s

The weather is clear and sunny, no clouds, with DNI > 900 W/m2

HTF-Temperatures: Loop inlet > 280°C , Loop outlet > 350°C

Outlet temperature must be above inlet temperature

Collectors in operation mode (The SCAs must have a tracking angle of 75°-105°, collectors in follow or dumping mode cannot be evaluated)

optional: Solar field mirror cleanliness > 0.95, at least avoid dew or very dirty mirrors because these areas can not be evaluated

Strictly keep to the indicated time schedules: See How to create your data acquisition schedule

Ensure that the drone is set up correctly.:

Check if you inserted a working SD card

Recommended SD cards: SanDisk Extreme 128GB V30 microSDXC or SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB V30 microSDXC

Avoid touching any wheel or button during the flight, you might change the video size which then cannot be evaluated

Only start the flight with a full drone battery

Wind speed below 5 m/s

Flights strictly according to schedule or 100% overcast (cloudy) conditions

Collectors in 90° +/- 0.5° (All collectors that are not in the foreseen position at the agreed time for the data acquisition flights, cannot fall into the analysis.)

for SCE Alignment, Tracking Offset, and absorber coating analysis, it is required that the collectors reach their position (Zenith == 90°) from the East (see Figure 1)

For torsion measurements, as second set of offline flights is required. Hereby, it is required that the collectors reach their position (Zenith == 90°) from the West (see Figure 2)

Solar field mirror cleanliness > 0.95

Strictly keep to the indicated time schedules: See How to create your data acquisition schedule

Ensure that the drone is set up correctly.:

Check if you inserted a working SD card

Recommended SD cards: SanDisk Extreme 128GB V30 microSDXC or SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB V30 microSDXC

Avoid touching any wheel or button during the flight, you might change the video size which then cannot be evaluated

Only start the flight with a full drone battery

drone serial number

Conditions and preparations for Online Flights

Conditions and preparations for Offline Flights in 90°

Further Reads: