Yes, it is completely legal to operate autonomous drones for solar plant inspection in Europe. In fact, at Solardrone we already operate 5 autonomous drone systems in BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) mode in European PV installations, currently under the STS-02 Standard Scenario with pilot in the field.
And we are just a few months away from taking the next step: the full SORA authorization that will allow us to operate without a pilot physically present at the plant.
But we understand that the question arises frequently. Drone regulation has evolved rapidly and there is confusion about what is allowed and what is not. In this article we clarify the European legal framework so you can make informed decisions about inspecting your solar assets.
The European regulatory framework: harmonized regulations
The European Union has a unified regulatory framework for drone operations, applicable in all 27 member states plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The two key regulations are:
- EU Regulation 2019/947: Operational Rules for Drones
- EU Regulation 2019/945: Technical requirements for equipment.
This framework divides operations into three categories according to the level of risk:
| Category | Type of operation | Authorization |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Low risk, line of sight only (VLOS) | Without prior authorization |
| Specific | Medium risk, includes BVLOS | Declaration or authorization of the aeronautical authority |
| Certified | High risk | Full operator and aircraft certification |
Inspections of solar plants with autonomous drones operate in the Specific Category, which allows BVLOS flights with the corresponding authorization.
A critical point: airspace is not dependent on land ownership.
A common confusion: “If the solar plant is private, can’t I fly as I want?”
No. Airspace regulation is independent of land ownership. Even if you have full control over your photovoltaic installation, flights must comply with aeronautical regulations. The landowner’s permission gives you the right to take off and land, but does not exempt you from complying with the rules of the air.
The good news: solar plants generally meet the conditions of a “controlled land area” under the SORA methodology, which significantly simplifies the permitting process.
BVLOS with pilot in the field vs. BVLOS without pilot in the field: the key difference
Here is one of the most important distinctions you need to understand:
BVLOS with pilot in the field
The remote pilot is physically present at the solar plant, but does not need to maintain direct visual contact with the drone during the entire operation.
Characteristics:
- The pilot is on site and can physically intervene if necessary.
- May have airspace observers distributed throughout the plant
- Simpler authorization process (typically STS-02 or PDRA)
- Lower level of risk in SORA assessment
- Ideal for medium size plants or first deployments
BVLOS without pilot in the field (remote operation)
The pilot supervises the operation from a remote location – he may be miles away or even in another country – through communication and telemetry systems.
Characteristics:
- The drone operates autonomously in the plant with no personnel present.
- Pilot oversees multiple installations from a remote control center
- Requires full SORA authorization with more demanding SAIL level.
- Requires robust communication, detection and flight termination systems.
- Increased operational efficiency: one pilot can monitor several plants simultaneously
- It is the model that maximizes the value of drone-in-a-box systems.
In both cases, the regulation requires that a remote pilot can intervene and modify the drone’s trajectory at any time. The difference is where that pilot is located and what level of technical mitigations are required to compensate for his physical absence.
At Solardrone we currently operate 5 autonomous drones in BVLOS configuration with pilot in the field under the STS-02 Standard Scenario. In the coming months we will complete the full SORA authorization process, which will allow us to operate without the need for a pilot physically present at the facility – the model that maximizes the operational efficiency of drone-in-a-box systems.
DJI Dock 3: certified for Europe as of May 2025
A frequently asked question from our customers: “Is the DJI Dock 3 approved for Europe?”
Yes. In May 2025, DJI Dock 3 achieved C6 certification through the European notified body Applus, making it the first DJI drone-in-a-box system with this certification.
| Certification | State | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| CE Marking | ✓ Certificate | Meets European safety and radio requirements |
| Class C2 label | ✓ Certificate | Allows operations closer to people |
| Class C6 label | ✓ Certificate | Enables declaration path STS-02 for BVLOS |
C6 certification greatly simplifies the process: it allows you to operate under the STS-02 Standard Scenario through a simple declaration, instead of going through the full SORA authorization process.
The four ways to obtain BVLOS authorization
There are four ways to operate legally in BVLOS:
1. STS-02 Standard Scenario (the simplest pathway)
Requirements: C6 certified equipment, declaration to the national aeronautical authority.
Limitations:
- Maximum range 2 km
- Requires airspace observers
- Only in sparsely populated areas
- Pre-programmed trajectories
Ideal for: Small-medium size solar plants with field pilot.
2. Pre-Defined Risk Assessment (PDRA)
EASA pre-approved risk assessment templates. PDRA-G03 is specifically designed for “regular inspection of facilities and infrastructure” – perfect for solar plants.
Advantage: Does not require Class C6 equipment. Limitations: Maximum height 30m, sparsely populated areas.
3. Complete SORA evaluation
For operations that exceed the limits of STS or PDRA: longer range, unobserved operation, or completely remote monitoring.
Process: 10-step risk assessment that determines the required SAIL (Specific Assurance and Integrity Level). Most solar inspections achieve SAIL II, a manageable level without aircraft type certification.
Typical lead time: 2-5 months depending on complexity and national authority.
4. Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC)
For operators with mature security management systems. Allows self-authorization of operations without individual requests to the authority.
Benefit: Maximum operational agility. Requirement: Demonstrate organizational capacity equivalent to an aviation company.
Why do solar plants have a regulatory advantage?
Photovoltaic installations naturally meet several criteria that simplify BVLOS approval:
Controlled ground zone: The solar plants are fenced, with access control. This significantly reduces the ground risk class (GRC) in the SORA assessment.
Sparsely populated environment: Most utility-scale plants are in rural areas, meeting the population density requirements for STS-02 and PDRA.
Uncontrolled airspace: With some exceptions near airports, solar plants are usually located in class G airspace, with no additional restrictions.
Predictable operation: Inspection routes are repeatable and predefined, facilitating risk assessment and safety demonstration.
Differences by country: same framework, different processes
Although the regulations are European, each national authority has its own particularities:
| Country | Authority | Particularities |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | AESA | STS-ES national scenarios valid until Dec. 2025 for equipment without CE marking |
| Germany | LBA | Dual federal/state structure; documented 2-3 month permitting timelines |
| Italy | ENAC | Mandatory D-Flight platform for mission planning BVLOS |
| France | DGAC | PDRA-G03 specifically designed for infrastructure inspections |
What your self-inspection provider must demonstrate
If you are considering contracting inspection services with autonomous drones, verify that the operator can be accredited:
Operator credentials:
- Registration as a UAS operator with the national aeronautical authority.
- Operational Authorization for BVLOS (SORA/PDRA approval or STS declaration)
- Liability insurance in accordance with EC Regulation 785/2004
- Remote pilots with appropriate certifications
Equipment compliance:
- Class C6 label for STS-02 operations, or authorization specified by the equipment.
- Active remote identification system
- Flight termination capability
- Documented maintenance records
Operational documentation:
- Operations Manual with normal, contingency and emergency procedures
- Site-specific risk assessment
- Emergency response plan
- GDPR-compliant data processing procedures
Conclusion: legal, operational and tested
Autonomous drone flights for solar plant inspection are fully legal in Europe under the framework of the Specific Category of EU Regulation 2019/947.
The C6 certification of DJI Dock 3 (May 2025) has further simplified compliance for new deployments. And the distinction between BVLOS with field pilot and BVLOS with remote monitoring allows the operating model to be tailored to the needs of each installation.
At Solardrone we currently operate 5 autonomous drone systems in BVLOS mode under STS-02 with pilot in the field, and in the coming months we will make the leap to full SORA authorization to operate without physical presence in the plant. This is not theory: it is our daily operation and our immediate roadmap.
The question is no longer whether these operations are legal, but whether your supplier has the proper authorizations to execute them.
Do you have doubts about the implementation of autonomous inspections in your solar plants? Contact us to analyze your specific case and the most suitable operating model for your portfolio.
References
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 – Rules and procedures applicable to the operation of unmanned aircraft. EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2019/947/oj/eng
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 – Unmanned aircraft systems and third country operators. EUR-Lex.
- EASA – Specific Category for Civilian Drones – Official guidance on specific category operations, including STS, PDRA and SORA. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/specific-category-civil-drones
- EASA – Standard Scenarios (STS) – Official documentation on STS-01 and STS-02. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/specific-category-civil-drones/standard-scenario-sts
- EASA – Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) – Requirements for operator certification. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/specific-category-civil-drones/light-uas-operator-certificate-luc
- EASA – UAS Regulations Explained – Frequently asked questions about drone regulations. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/the-agency/faqs/regulations-uas-drone-explained
- AESA – UAS/Drones Regulations in Spain – Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea. https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/en/ambitos/drones/normativa-de-uas-drones
- DJI Enterprise – DJI Dock 2 Compliance Guide for EU Regulations – Information on C6 certification and European compliance. https://enterprise-insights.dji.com/blog/eu-drone-regulations-made-easy-dji-dock-2-compliance-guide
- EU Drone Port – Drone Inspections at BVLOS: How to obtain flight permissions through PDRA. https://eudroneport.com/blog/drone-inspections-bvlos/
- Regulation (EC) 785/2004 – Insurance requirements for aircraft operators and aircraft operators.
