Solar efficiency using the testo thermal imager

August 2012 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

Large and small photovoltaic (PV) systems can be monitored without contact using the testo thermal imager designed to identify malfunctions in PV systems and ensure the smooth running of all components.

Faults that occur when operating photovoltaic systems include defective bypass diodes, contact faults and short circuits in solar cells, contamination, cracks in cells or in the modules glass, non-functioning or disconnected modules, and mismatches i.e. loss of performance due to different capacities of individual modules. These problems can become expensive to fix and, if left unnoticed, result in ineffective generation of energy.

These potential faults can be diagnosed via changes to the thermal properties identified using testo thermal imagers. Users can enter the solar irradiation data into the camera easily using the solar mode, which can then be compared to the expected and actual output power. With so much emphasis on the current drive towards energy conservation, it is important that PV systems harness the sun’s energy as efficiently as possible. With this new feature of the testo thermal imager, PV monitoring has become much simpler.

For more information contact unitemp, +27 (0)21 762 8995, testo@unitemp.com, www.unitemp.com

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