Doctoral Thesis
Infrared (IR) Imaging-based Inspection for Performance Measurements of Solar PV Systems
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
Abstract
Performance monitoring of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules has become critical for ensuring the economically feasible operation of PV systems in the long term, usually for about 25 years of service. Out of a range of analytical techniques, IR imaging-based inspection is commonly used to identify and detect existing and developing defects on PV modules. Initially, this thesis has identified the strengths, issues, applications, and prospects of IR imaging-based inspection of PV modules. The indicators for the major inspection technologies were identified and compared based on their strength, weakness, and opportunities of IR imaging-based inspection of PV systems using remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). This study also investigated the influence of environmental and observational conditions of IR imaging of PV modules on the appearance of hot spots in IR images. It was found that IR imaging should be conducted at irradiance levels of close to or less than 600W/m2, intermittent cloud conditions, and late solar hours of the day to detect internal defects. A model was then developed to determine output power of a PV module from an IR image. A statistically significant (p<.05) influence of environmental conditions and module average temperature determined from IR image was observed on the accuracy of this model. Lastly, this thesis has developed workflow structures of technology specific major inspection technologies using RPA to conduct inspection of decentralized and centralized PV systems and proposed an integrated inspection methodology. The developed workflow is predicted to reduce the downtime of solar PV systems during inspection. This reduces maintenance time and output power generation losses while conducting the maintenance. Frequent inspection of PV power generation plants is highly recommended to enhance the lifetime, and economic and environmental performance of the solar PV project.
Details
- Title
- Infrared (IR) Imaging-based Inspection for Performance Measurements of Solar PV Systems
- Authors/Creators
- Sheikh A Rahaman
- Contributors
- Tania Urmee (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and WasteDavid Parlevliet (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Identifiers
- 991005573469407891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Engineering and Energy
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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