When it comes to wind turbine inspections, the question is no longer if they should be done with drones , but how.

More and more operators are now weighing the value of using a service model versus bringing inspections in-house using autonomous technology like the Eve system.

This year, one forward-thinking operator made the shift — transitioning from using drone inspections as a service to owning two Eve units. After a full season of working with service-based inspections across multiple sites, they chose to invest in autonomy. Here’s why that decision made sense:

The project

For their previous season:

• Site A: 49 turbines inspected
• Site B: 31 turbines, including nacelle and tower

The ROI of Going In-House

📉 Breakeven point: Immediate — achieved within the first year of adoption.
💸 Year-two savings: Over 70% compared to continuing with the service model
📈 3-year ROI: ~140% based on avoided service costs and increased inspection flexibility

The more turbines you inspect, the higher your return. For operators managing large or multi-site portfolios, in-house systems like Eve aren’t just cost-effective — they’re strategic assets.

Why In-House Inspections Are Gaining Ground

✅ Budget Predictability
No more per-turbine pricing. With in-house systems, you control when, where, and how often to inspect, without triggering new invoices every time.

✅ Operational Agility
Schedule inspections around your weather windows, maintenance crews, and turbine availability. No third-party coordination needed.

✅ Upskilled Teams
Your technicians learn to operate cutting-edge autonomous tech. Training takes 2 days, benefits last for years.

✅ Scalable & Repeatable
From 30 turbines to 3,000 — the same system scales with you. And repeat inspections are just another day’s work.

✅ Better Data Control
Instant uploads to your secure web portal, customisable reports, and the ability to track damage over time — all without waiting days for a third-party PDF.

Service Still Has Its Place

For operators testing drone inspections, working on a small scale, or navigating seasonal bottlenecks, the service model is a great place to start.

But when inspection volumes grow, owning your workflow just makes sense.

Bottom Line

Transitioning to in-house drone inspections with Eve can cut your inspection costs by over 70% within 18 months;  all while giving you complete control over your data, scheduling, and results.

➡️ If you’re spending more than £20,000 a year on inspections, it’s worth running the numbers. Let’s chat!