PV Panel Damage Detection

Meeting energy needs with solar energy is becoming increasingly common, but potential problems with this technology should not be overlooked. Solar panels can be long-lasting, PV panels can develop various problems over time.

Solar panels are an important part of renewable energy, but they are not perfect. Defects can occur in the panels during the manufacturing process, which can lead to defective panels, electrical problems and overall performance degradation. Therefore, when using solar power systems, regular maintenance and timely thermal inspections are necessary.

Solar Power Plants RGB Review

Data from RGB inspections generally show physical damage to solar panels. This can include things like broken glass, chipped edges, bird droppings and scratches. Such defects reduce the amount of light the solar panel can capture, which in turn reduces the amount of power it can generate.

During solar cell manufacturing and module assembly, micro-cracks can form. To avoid these cracks, PV panels should be transported upright or properly packaged when receiving them from storage. Some photovoltaic modules are more delicate than others and are at risk of cracking. The least crack-prone option is monocrystalline panels with half-cut solar cells and the maximum number of cell connections. These panels are known for their durability and are designed to provide high performance over their long lifetime. Therefore, the quality and durability of the panels used in solar power plants is critical for long-term efficiency.

Thermal Inspection in Solar Power Plants

Thermal inspection in solar power plants is a widely used method to detect potential damage to PV panels. Thermal drones measure the surface temperature of the panels and this data is analyzed with MapperX AI-based software to identify anomalies in the panel. For example, damage to a cell can often show up as a high temperature difference. This method allows damage to be quickly detected and repaired so that power generation at the plant can be maximized.

How to Perform a Thermal Inspection

Preparation: Prior to the inspection, it is important to select the right equipment and determine favorable weather conditions. The correct calibration of thermal cameras should also not be forgotten.

Flight Planning (with Drones): Flight planning operations should be carried out in accordance with the flight plans determined by MapperX. Drones are used for fast and efficient thermal inspection of solar power plants. When planning the flight path, it is important to shoot the panels at the optimum angle and to have full coverage.

Data Collection: The drone measures the surface temperatures of PV panels with a thermal camera. This data is analyzed with MapperX software and panels with abnormal temperature values are detected.

Analysis and Reporting: The data obtained is analyzed with MapperX and damaged areas are identified. Based on this data, a detailed world-class report is created. The report includes the size, type and location of the damage.

PV panel damage and anomaly detection in solar power plants is critical to maximize energy production. Thermal inspection methods, especially aerial thermography with drones, are innovative ways to perform this detection quickly, efficiently and accurately. These methods play an important role in the solar industry to increase efficiency and minimize environmental impacts.

MapperX An Innovative Solution for Solar Power Plants

MapperX is an AI-based software solution designed to improve the efficiency and safety of solar power plants. Using thermal inspection and artificial intelligence technology, it quickly and accurately detects failures, damage and other problems in solar panels.

MapperX can also be effective in reducing the operating costs of solar power plants. By detecting anomalies in solar panels early, it helps reduce repair or replacement costs.

Benefits of MapperX for Solar Power Plants

MapperX provides the following benefits for solar power plants:

Increases energy production: By detecting anomalies in solar panels early, it enables timely intervention for repair or replacement. This significantly increases the amount of energy produced by solar power plants.

Reduces operating costs: By detecting failures in PV panels early, it helps to reduce repair or replacement costs.

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