Public-Data Facility Dossier
Built from public USPVDB/EIA data; this is not a client engagement. Aerial Accuracy is not affiliated with or endorsed by the facility's owner or operator. We already know the site's published footprint and operating context before we arrive.
Facility Dossier: Hornet Solar (Tulia, TX)
Public-data context for a 600 MW utility-scale solar facility, paired with the IEC TS 62446-3-aligned screening method we would propose at this scale.
Facility Overview
Developed and operated by Vesper Energy, Hornet Solar is located near Tulia in Swisher County (Country Road 2, Tulia, TX 79088) on approximately 3,900 acres. Achieving commercial operation April 2025, this 600 MWac / 745 MWdc facility ranks #19 nationally and #9 among Texas solar plants by annual generation (~779 GWh/year). The project's output is fully contracted via corporate PPAs with Pfizer (310 MW), Zoetis, Brunswick Corporation, and one undisclosed Fortune 100 partner.
600 MW
AC Nameplate
745 MW
DC Capacity
1.36M
Bifacial Modules
The facility employs 1.36 million bifacial PV modules on horizontal single-axis trackers, interconnecting at 345 kV into Oncor Electric's ERCOT transmission system. Financing includes $590M construction-to-term debt with >$500M of Production Tax Credits (PTCs) monetized via IRA transferability. The project generated >$100M in local tax revenue commitments, including $61.2M to Tulia ISD. This represents the scale and financial complexity our IEC TS 62446-3 inspection program is designed to support.
IEC TS 62446-3 Standards-Based Thermal Inspections
Utility-scale solar installations of this magnitude require professional thermographic inspection capabilities to maintain performance screening and document signatures for warranty evaluation, and maximize return on investment. We follow IEC TS 62446-3 standards-based protocols for data collection—with flexible deliverable options from quick CSV reports to standards-aligned methods documentation tailored to your project needs.
What the Proposed Screening Would Flag
Hot Cell Defects
Individual cells operating 5-20°C above normal consistent with bypass diode failures or cell cracks
String-Level Failures
Entire strings showing elevated temperatures due to connection issues or inverter problems
PID Degradation
Potential-induced degradation patterns across modules reducing power output
Visual Documentation
50MP RGB imaging documents soiling patterns and physical conditions
Our Technology & Methodology
Equipment Specifications
- Thermal Sensor: 640×512 radiometric with ±3°C or ±3% accuracy (−20°C to +60°C environment)
- Positioning: RTK positioning for precise defect location mapping
- Flight Altitude: Optimized for perpendicular viewing angle
- Irradiance Monitoring: Ground-based measurements ensure minimum 600 W/m² during inspection
Deliverables
- Georeferenced Thermal Imagery: GeoTIFF with documented processing and measured project accuracy where available
- Defect Report: CSV export with GPS location, temperature delta, severity classification
- KML Overlay: Import directly into Google Earth or site management systems
- Professional PDF Report: Summary statistics, warranty documentation
Local Response Capability
Based just 25 miles away, we could mobilize quickly for an authorized mobilization for thermal inspection services. When weather windows open for inspections meeting IEC standards (600+ W/m² irradiance), our local position enables same-day scheduling.
Quarterly Phased Inspection Approach
For utility-scale facilities of this magnitude (600MW across 3,800 acres), industry-standard practice follows a quarterly phased inspection model rather than single-event full-site surveys. This approach balances comprehensive coverage with operational efficiency and weather dependencies.
Standard Quarterly Model
The facility is divided into sections (~120-150MW each), with one section inspected per quarter. Over a 12-month period, this provides comprehensive coverage while accommodating weather constraints and operational scheduling.
Q1: Section A
~120MW coverage
Q2: Section B
~120MW coverage
Q3: Section C
~120MW coverage
Q4: Section D
~120MW coverage
Section Inspection Timeline
For a typical 120-150MW section, the complete inspection cycle includes:
Pre-Flight Planning (2-3 days)
Site coordination, weather window identification, flight plan preparation, safety protocols
Flight Operations (2-4 days)
Data collection during conditions aligned with the IEC framework (600+ W/m² irradiance, clear skies). Timeline depends on weather windows and site complexity.
Processing & Analysis (8-12 days)
In-house stitching, radiometric data handling, anomaly screening, manual review, and finding triage. Timing would be committed only after scope and data volume are known.
Report Generation & QA (2-4 days)
Finding prioritization, georeferencing QA, IEC-aligned methods documentation, deliverable packaging
Realistic Timeline: 14-23 Days Per Section
From mobilization to final deliverable, a 120-150MW section typically requires 14-23 calendar days. Weather delays (clouds, wind, rain) can extend this planning estimate. The proposed workflow would keep processing and review in house, with delivery timing set by the authorized scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan an Authorized Solar Thermal Inspection
Contact us to discuss our IEC TS 62446-3 thermal inspection capabilities for utility-scale solar installations. For an authorized project, we would build a scoped field plan and georeferenced deliverables around the facility's actual layout and evidence needs.