Public-Data Facility Dossier
This independent informational profile summarizes public USPVDB/EIA-type records. Any inspection discussion is prospective and would require authorization, current site information, and a site-specific scope. Aerial Accuracy is not affiliated with the facility's owner or operator. Not a client engagement.
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
Public USPVDB/EIA-type records describe Hornet Solar as a 600 MWac / 745 MWdc facility near Tulia in Swisher County on approximately 3,900 acres. The facility reached commercial operation in April 2025; published generation data places it among the larger solar facilities in Texas.
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. A facility like this could benefit from a phased IEC TS 62446-3-aligned screening plan that accounts for array scale, tracker layout, weather windows, and qualified ground verification.
Candidate IEC TS 62446-3 Inspection Scope
Utility-scale solar installations of this magnitude require carefully planned thermographic capture to support performance screening and warranty evaluation. A commissioned scope could align capture conditions and reporting with the applicable IEC TS 62446-3 framework, with output options ranging from review-ready data layers to documented methods and quality limits.
What the Proposed Screening Would Flag
Localized Thermal Signatures
Nonuniform thermal regions screened as investigation targets; qualified ground checks determine root cause
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-equipped capture for georeferenced site context, not survey-grade defect coordinates
- 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
The facility is within Aerial Accuracy's South Plains service context. Mobilization would depend on written site authorization, airspace, operator coordination, and a suitable weather window, including the required irradiance conditions.
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.