Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing
Due to the vast expansion of photovoltaic (PV) module production nowadays, a great interest is shown in factors affecting PV performance and efficiency under real conditions. Particular attention is being given to degradation effects of PV cells and modules, which during the last decade are seen to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Photoenergy |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/396792 |
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| author | E. Kaplani |
| author_facet | E. Kaplani |
| author_sort | E. Kaplani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to the vast expansion of photovoltaic (PV) module production nowadays, a great interest is shown in factors affecting PV performance and efficiency under real conditions. Particular attention is being given to degradation effects of PV cells and modules, which during the last decade are seen to be responsible for significant power losses observed in PV systems. This paper presents and analyses degradation effects observed in severely EVA discoloured PV cells from field-aged modules operating already for 18–22 years. Temperature degradation effects are identified through IR thermography in bus bars, contact solder bonds, blisters, hot spots, and hot areas. I-V curve analysis results showed an agreement between the source of electrical performance degradation and the degradation effects in the defected cell identified by the IR thermography. Finally, an algorithm was developed to automatically detect EVA discoloration in PV cells through processing of the digital image alone in a way closely imitating human perception of color. This nondestructive and noncostly solution could be applied in the detection of EVA discoloration in existing PV installations and the automatic monitoring and remote inspection of PV systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8ed8c976ff184d3392b45b9bf57c5a41 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1110-662X 1687-529X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Photoenergy |
| spelling | doaj-art-8ed8c976ff184d3392b45b9bf57c5a412025-02-03T01:30:53ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2012-01-01201210.1155/2012/396792396792Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image ProcessingE. Kaplani0Mechanical Engineering Department, T.E.I. of Patras, Megalou Alexandrou 1, 26334 Patra, GreeceDue to the vast expansion of photovoltaic (PV) module production nowadays, a great interest is shown in factors affecting PV performance and efficiency under real conditions. Particular attention is being given to degradation effects of PV cells and modules, which during the last decade are seen to be responsible for significant power losses observed in PV systems. This paper presents and analyses degradation effects observed in severely EVA discoloured PV cells from field-aged modules operating already for 18–22 years. Temperature degradation effects are identified through IR thermography in bus bars, contact solder bonds, blisters, hot spots, and hot areas. I-V curve analysis results showed an agreement between the source of electrical performance degradation and the degradation effects in the defected cell identified by the IR thermography. Finally, an algorithm was developed to automatically detect EVA discoloration in PV cells through processing of the digital image alone in a way closely imitating human perception of color. This nondestructive and noncostly solution could be applied in the detection of EVA discoloration in existing PV installations and the automatic monitoring and remote inspection of PV systems.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/396792 |
| spellingShingle | E. Kaplani Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing International Journal of Photoenergy |
| title | Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing |
| title_full | Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing |
| title_fullStr | Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing |
| title_short | Detection of Degradation Effects in Field-Aged c-Si Solar Cells through IR Thermography and Digital Image Processing |
| title_sort | detection of degradation effects in field aged c si solar cells through ir thermography and digital image processing |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/396792 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ekaplani detectionofdegradationeffectsinfieldagedcsisolarcellsthroughirthermographyanddigitalimageprocessing |