Hello, I am new here. We are looking for a IR camera for solar panel inspection. Could you recommend some models for this specific application? Thanks.

Tell us more about your application. Photovoltaic or hot water? Both Longwave and Midwave systems can be used on either type of panel. On hot water you can see overall efficiency issues based on temperature. On PV you can see failed cells and overall performance issues (see image showing front of panel with hotspots at junction boxes—not problems!), InGaAs Shortwave systems can also be used though I have not done so.

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

We are interested in PV application using LWIR camera since the MWIR camera seems to be more expensive. Next step we will look for an SWIR camera such as InGaAs for EL characterization.

Here is another LW shot, this of the BACK of the panel showing temperature variations. The back is much less reflective.

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

Hi Folks;

I've had some luck using my Fluke FlexCam TIR2-FT20 to find problems. Here's a shot of SolaTiles, an early roof-tile product installed in a daisy chain with about 25 tiles to a string.

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Lorna Fear
(650) 520 4869
San Francisco Bay Area
Visual Cue Thermal Imaging
http://www.infraredmagic.com