IR Thermal Imaging for PV Systems
Growing awareness of environmental issues throughout the world has prompted a strong interest in alternative energy sources. Solar energy is one of these choices that is now the most popular. Solar energy is essentially inexhaustible, and due to policies supporting the construction of solar power plants, it currently makes up a fast-growing portion of the world's energy output. But in order for these plants to function well, they must have excellent setups, regular maintenance, and detailed inspections.
ADVA THERM offers a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable method for assessing solar panels in large installations. We believe that every solar plant will soon be monitored by portable thermo-cameras. Photovoltaic panel defects frequently lead to the appearance of so-called "hotspots”. These "hotspots" are caused by the recombination of electrons, which might lead to holes in the solar cells. A significant quantity of energy is produced during this process, and it heats up space. These hotspots have the potential to reach extraordinarily high temperatures; in fact, a healthy cell and a faulty one can differ in temperature by more than 50 °C. This heat may cause permanent damage to both the defective cell and the entire panel.
Thermal imaging technology is the ideal solution to this issue. Thermal imaging makes it simple to identify hotspots because of their surprisingly strong color contrast with the surrounding solar cells and other objects. However, using a portable thermal camera to conduct "hotspot" testing is typically neither efficient nor safe. Huge photovoltaic panels are commonly installed on sloped rooftops that are difficult to access in solar power installations. Furthermore, natural barriers like vegetation and uneven terrain usually make it hard to traverse between panels. A drone equipped with a thermal imaging system is a stylish and practical alternative.