Inspection and condition monitoring of large-scale photovoltaic power plants: A review of imaging technologies

The massive growth of PV farms, both in number and size, has motivated new approaches in inspection system design and monitoring. This paper presents a review of imaging technologies and methods for analysis and characterization of faults in photovoltaic (PV) modules. The paper provides a brief overview of PV system (PVS) reliability studies and monitoring approaches where fault related PVS power loss is evaluated. Research on infrared thermography (IRT) and luminescence imaging technologies is thoroughly reviewed, with focus on ease of implementation, efficiency and unmanned aerial system (UAS) compatibility. Furthermore, the review will provide novel insight into state-of-the-art electroluminescence (EL), photoluminescence (PL) and ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) imaging, and how to interpret these images. The development of imaging techniques will continue to be an attractive domain of research that can be combined with aerial scanning for a cost-effective remote inspection that enable reliable power production in large-scale PV plants.