Application of Thermographic Techniques for the Detection of Failures on Photovoltaic Modules

The paper focuses on thermography as a useful investigation tool for diagnosis, detection and prevention of failures of photovoltaic modules. The paper describes the faults detectable by thermographic investigations and how to conduct these investigantions. Then the results of some analyses conducted on a photovoltaic field are presented. The investigations made possible to identify faulty modules with hot spots by measuring localized superheat due to the presence of concentrated deposits on the exposed surface of the module and the superheating due to the presence of sand/dust deposits distributed on a significant portion of the module surface. The thermographic investigations can be used to prevent conditions that can lead to failures. These surveys can, in fact, be used to identify the need for maintenance or cleaning modules in order to reduce localized heating that would reduce the useful life of panels.