Development of Solar Panel Diagnostic System

Abstract

Several methods have been used to assess the condition of solar cells, including "in-situ" and "ex-situ" methods. One possible method of so-called in-situ assessment of solar cells without disassembly and intervention is fault identification with thermal imaging. The principle is because the contact, transient or permanent resistance of the solar cell in failure points and zones caused by surface damage, shadow effects or burnout is higher than that of intact cells, dots, or surfaces. The current flowing through the higher resistances causes more Joule heat. This overheat makes possible to see different failure sources. During our research study we created a measurement system that investigate solar modules heating by power supply with thermal imaging.