Image resolution and defects detection in PV inspection by unmanned technologies

Aghaei, Mohammadreza; Dolara, Alberto; Leva, Sonia; Grimaccia, Francesco

doi:10.1109/pesgm.2016.7741605

Cited by 42 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In solar panel maintenance, visual inspections 12 could thus be conducted to check for defects in any of the panels. In addition, drone/light unmanned vehicle techniques with infrared cameras could also be instead of ground-based inspection techniques [20][21][22]. Furthermore, pilot and sensor operator inspected visual images can be taken from a height of 10-15m during maintenance in a large-scaled PV system or rooftop system, which could reduce the number of manual tasks required and reduce the amount of time taken to conduct the inspections.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Fault Location in a Photovoltaic Array Using Bidirectional Hetero-Associative Memory Network in Micro-distribution Systems

Chang¹,

Pai²,

Chou³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Abstract:In manual maintenance inspections of large-scaled photovoltaic (PV) or rooftop PV systems, several days are required to survey the entire PV field. To improve reliability and shorten the amount of time involved, this study proposes an electrical examination based method for locating multiple faults in the PV array. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is used to estimate the maximum power of each PV panel; this is then compared with metering the output power of PV array. Power degradation indexes are parameterized to quantify the degradation between maximum power and metered output power. Bidirectional hetero-associative memory (BHAM) networks are then used to locate multiple faults within the entire PV field. For a rooftop PV system with two strings, experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model has computational efficiency for real-time applications and that its algorithm is easily implemented in a mobile intelligent vehicle.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Fault Location in a Photovoltaic Array Using Bidirectional Hetero-Associative Memory Network in Micro-distribution Systems

Chang¹,

Pai²,

Chou³

et al. 2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In the specific application tested, the sampling rate of 1 frame per second was used, because it guarantees a good trade-off between the overlapping required by the post-processing algorithm and the inspection time. The thermal camera had a resolution of 640 × 512 pixels, while the visual camera had a resolution of 4592 × 3448 pixels to guarantee a ground resolution of 10 pixels per centimetre at an average flight height of 10 m [20]. These cameras guaranteed a very large temperature range, from −40°to +135°.…”

Section: Test Casementioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced Asset Management Tools in Photovoltaic Plant Monitoring: UAV-Based Digital Mapping

2019

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Photovoltaic (PV) plant monitoring and maintenance has become an often critical activity: the high efficiency requirements of the new European policy have often been in contrast with the many low-quality plants installed in several countries over the past few years. In actual industrial practices, heterogeneous information is produced, and they are often managed in a fragmented way. Several software tools have been developed for obtaining reliable and valuable information from the PV plant's raw data. With the aim of gathering and managing all these data in a more complex and integrated manner, an information managing system is proposed in this work-it is composed of a structured database, called the Photovoltaic Indexed Database, and a user interface, called the Digital Map, that allows for easy access and completion of the information present in the database. This information managment system and PV plant digitalization process is able to analyze and properly index the IR in the database, as well as the visual images obtained in photovoltaic plant monitoring.

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“…Energies 2019, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 14 current state of technology is such that the images recorded by the drone are stored in the form of a single sheet, and confirmed by the laboratory or by video shooting [16,17]. The increasing demand for fast inspection speed (while maintaining reasonable accuracy) calls for new tech-savvy approaches, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…To reduce this problem, recently, some research has used drones fitted with thermal imaging cameras for rapid monitoring of solar power plants [13][14][15]. However, the current state of technology is such that the images recorded by the drone are stored in the form of a single sheet, and confirmed by the laboratory or by video shooting [16,17].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing Inspection Methodology of Solar Energy Plants by Thermal Infrared Sensor on Board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Lee

Park

2019

Energies

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Photovoltaic (PV) power generation facilities have been built on various scales due to rapid growth in response to demand for renewable energy. Facilities built on diverse terrain and on such a scale are required to employ fast and accurate monitoring technology for stable electrical production and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to develop a technology to analyze the normal operation and failure of solar modules by acquiring images by attaching optical and thermal infrared sensors to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and producing orthographic images of temperature information. The results obtained in this study are as follows: (1) a method of using optical and thermal infrared sensors with different resolutions at the same time is able to produce accurate spatial information, (2) it is possible to produce orthographic images of thermal infrared images, (3) the analysis of the temperature fluctuation characteristics of the solar panel and cell showed that the abnormal module and cell displayed a larger temperature change than the normal module and cell, and (4) the abnormal heat generation of the panel and cell can be accurately discerned by the abnormal state panel and cell through the spatial distribution of the temperature. It is concluded that the inspection method of the solar module using the obtained UAV-based thermal infrared sensor can be useful for safety inspection and monitoring of the rapidly growing solar power generation facility.Since the mid-1970s, the Republic of Korea has started to apply solar power to homes. In the early days, solar panels were mostly used for hot water. In 2000, solar PV applications diversified, extending to household, industrial, agricultural, lake, and reservoir applications. Republic of Korea has been mainly used to utilize mountainous areas, which occupy 63% of the entire country. Many solar power plants are generally operated by using large flat terrain, but many facilities have been applied to sloped terrain conditions. In recent years, the number of PV power generation facilities installed on the water, i.e., reservoirs and lakes, has increased. Facilities located on such terrain and water incur heavy cost and require a lot of manpower to check periodic monitoring and problematic solar panels, and there is a high risk of safety problems. In order to operate the solar power plant efficiently, it is necessary to have not only a solar panel but also equipment for monitoring and maintaining the solar power plant [4].PV power plants are affected by various factors that can damage or reduce their efficiency. Selecting an optimal location for a power plant, one that maximizes power generation efficiency, is important in reducing power-generation and maintenance costs [5]. Once installed, the first time damage occurs to any part, the cell will overload and cause abnormal heat generation. After that, the entire module is short-circuited, and the overall output is lowered. Defects and losses that can occur in solar panels are caused by various factors. Decrease of po...

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Image resolution and defects detection in PV inspection by unmanned technologies

Cited by 42 publications

References 11 publications

Multiple Fault Location in a Photovoltaic Array Using Bidirectional Hetero-Associative Memory Network in Micro-distribution Systems

Multiple Fault Location in a Photovoltaic Array Using Bidirectional Hetero-Associative Memory Network in Micro-distribution Systems

Advanced Asset Management Tools in Photovoltaic Plant Monitoring: UAV-Based Digital Mapping

Developing Inspection Methodology of Solar Energy Plants by Thermal Infrared Sensor on Board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

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