Solar Power Plants Aerial Thermography Investigations
Solar power plants are a popular choice among clean and renewable energy sources. They generate electricity by converting solar energy into electrical energy. As faults and malfunctions can occur in power plants, production capacity can be reduced and energy costs can increase. For this reason, thermography inspections are becoming an important tool.
Thermography inspection of solar power plants is a technology that helps identify faults in solar power plants. The inspection is carried out using infrared cameras and measures the temperature changes of the equipment in the plant. Through the process, the causes of malfunctions are identified and repaired.
Aerial thermography inspections are carried out using drone technology and allow a detailed inspection of the entire power plant. Failures in the power plant are identified and fixed faster. Aerial inspections provide a more detailed view of the plant’s structure and allow for better monitoring of temperature changes.
Aerial Thermography Technology
Problems with PV modules in solar power plants caused by factors such as shading, trees, ground vegetation, pollution, adjacent rows and debris can cause loss of efficiency. Aerial thermography technology is an important tool to detect these problems and improve efficiency.
Aerial inspections can be conducted in a few hours and require much less manpower for inspection. Compared to manual inspections, aerial inspection can provide coverage of up to 10 MW per hour, while manual inspections can cover only 1 MW in 10 hours of operation.
Customers with large solar power plants can easily save hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by using aerial inspection services. Customers can also expect a relatively low margin of error for power output loss estimates. Because inspections are performed by drones, the time field technicians need to spend in hazardous environments is reduced by the amount of time spent just making repairs.
Shading Problem and Solutions with Aerial Thermography in Solar Energy Systems
PV (photovoltaic) panels experience reduced power output when they encounter shading problems. Shading sources can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as trees, ground vegetation, pollution, adjacent rows and debris. Each shading pattern is unique and affects power generation to different degrees.
Many people think that shading of just a few panels will affect the system, when in fact shading of a single array of modules can occur in isolation and can affect neighboring, non-shaded panels and panels within those arrays. Precautions that can be taken against shading problems are very important for maintaining system performance.
The first step against shading problems is the correct placement of PV modules. In the area where the panels are placed, the possibility of shading should be minimized. During the installation of the panels, the position of trees and other shading objects should be taken into account.
Another solution for shading issues is to optimize the modules. PV panels are combined with series and parallel connections and affect the performance of the system. The connection of panels in series or parallel needs to be optimized according to the shading situation.
Another measure against shading issues is the use of smart inverter technology. This technology optimizes the power output of PV panels and maintains efficiency even in the presence of shading. Smart inverter technology reduces energy loss by increasing system efficiency even in the event of shading.
Comprehensive Aerial Thermography
Comprehensive aerial IR audits are performed in accordance with IEC standards. The inspections provide highly detailed data, allowing teams to fully understand the performance of each PV panel. The inspection provides important data, enabling panel and array level anomalies to be correctly sorted and prioritized by temperature intensity.
Infrared thermal images provide 3 cm/px resolution and HD RGB images provide 1 cm/px resolution. This enables data analysis in accordance with IEC TS 62446-3 Technical Specification. All anomalies identified with MapperX can be identified in photovoltaic (PV) systems.
MapperX is a software product developed for solar energy systems. Leveraging the power of image processing and machine learning technologies, data and analysis, the product identifies malfunctions in PV sites with 99% accuracy, adding value to the investments made and offering solutions to problems that prevent the production of facilities.
MapperX is a software product developed specifically for solar energy systems. This product, which can detect faults in PV fields with 99% accuracy, analyzes data using image processing and machine learning technologies. It adds value to PV plants by providing solutions to problems that prevent the production of the plants. Visit the website to learn more about “5 Mistakes in Thermal Drone Inspections“
