Preventive Maintenance in Solar Energy Systems and Fault Detection for Solar Panels based on Thermal Images

Abstract

The article presents the importance of renewable energy in reducing the potential dangers of global warming and climate crises in the context of increase in global energy comp Sumption that will lead to increase of emission of greenhouse gases. to and of the maintenance in solar energy systems. The operation and maintenance activities of photovoltaic systems represent aspects not to be neglected for obtaining the profitability of investments and ensuring their viability and reliability. Currently, the procedures applied mainly refer to simple techniques such as visual inspection and scheduled maintenance strategies. Also, the types of faults that can may appear in photovoltaic panels and the ones can be detected by thermography (single hot spot, multiple hot spots, activation of the bypass diode and a higher temperature of the junction box) are presented with their characteristics and severity. In the last part of the article a thermal imaging processing software based on artificial intelligence technology is proposed for use for the preventive maintenance, in order to detect the photovoltaic(solar) panels with faults to be repaired or changed to increase the efference of the system. The Software will be use to develop an innovative maintenance and repair curricula for the departments related to solar energy in vocational and technical education schools in order to better predict and prevent malfunctions in solar energy systems.