Thermography and its role in photovoltaic installation inspections

Автори

Kalin Vayov

Engineer, Vayo Drones

Dzhem Aliman

Engineer, Vayo Drones

Сподели

Thermography is a technology that visualizes the infrared radiation of objects, which is invisible to the human eye. Every body with a temperature above absolute zero emits infrared radiation, which can be captured using a specialized thermographic camera. By analyzing temperature differences, thermographic inspection allows for the detection of anomalies related to overheating, defects, poor electrical connections, areas with compromised insulation, and heat losses, which makes it a valuable tool for maintenance and diagnostics in the energy sector, construction, and other sectors.

The scientific basis of infrared thermography is based on Planck’s law of black-body radiation and the Stefan Boltzmann law, according to which the energy emitted by a body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature. This allows thermographic technology to be a non invasive, fast, and extremely accurate method for thermal mapping of photovoltaic facilities.

Regular inspections of photovoltaic systems are of critical importance. Over time, solar panels can be affected by factors such as weather conditions, mechanical damage, accumulation of dust or organic materials, aging of electrical components, and others. The lack of timely inspection can lead to serious defects such as local overheating, panel degradation, electrical faults, and even fires. Losses in energy production can be significant with faulty modules, which in large installations leads to serious economic damage.

With the introduction of drone technologies, solar installation inspections have entered a new era. Drones, equipped with high resolution thermographic cameras, allow for fast, safe, and precise surveying of extensive photovoltaic fields. Unlike traditional methods, which require manual checking or the use of ground equipment, drone inspections save time, resources, and significantly reduce human risks.

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Drones can survey vast areas in a matter of days, unlike manual methods which take weeks, even months. Thanks to high tech thermal imaging cameras, drones are able to collect data that allows for the detection of even minimal temperature deviations. This advantage facilitates analysis and guarantees accurate final results. These results are reached through careful and detailed analysis with specialized software that aids in identifying temperature differences. Among the main advantages of drone inspections are reduced operational costs, minimal need for human intervention, and the possibility for long-term archiving and data tracking.

In this technological context, VAYO DRONES offers professional solutions for thermographic inspection of photovoltaic systems with drones. Using modern drones with precise thermographic cameras, we provide accurate, standardized, and easily interpretable reports, compliant with international standards for infrared thermography and solar installation maintenance. Our team of specialists combines engineering expertise with practical application, guaranteeing high accuracy and timely diagnostics of potential problems in your photovoltaic system.

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