Infrared Thermography (IRT) Working Group

Infrared Thermography (IRT) Working Group

Sco= McWilliamsU.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consor;um (PVMC)

Infrared ThermographyInfrared Thermography (IRT) hasbeen demonstrated as a tool that  can be effecFvely used to improvethe installaFon, maintenance andreliability of Photovoltaic (PV)arrays. IRT has mulFpleapplicaFons for tesFngcomponents in a PV system:• Modules

• hot  spot  detecFon• shading events• cleaning cycles

• Power electronics• inverters• power opFmizers

• Connector verificaFon• PredicFve Maintenance (PdM)

Copyright  2013PVMC, Inc.

Photos courtesy FLIR  Commercial SystemsB.V.

IRT applications exist for PV modules (a), wiring (b) and electronics (c)

Program FocusPVMC’s IRT working group willdevelop:• ApplicaFons• Standards• Best  known methods (BKM)• IRT curriculum/trainingspecifically tailored towardsPhotovoltaic systems.

www.uspvmc.org  

IRT Working GroupAWorking Group has been formedas part  of the PVMC’s Balance ofSystems (BOS) and PowerElectronics program.

PotenFal working group membersare being acFvely recruited, andwill include:  • IR camera  manufacturers• Module manufacturers• Power electronics manufacturers• BOS supply chain• System integrators/installers• UFlity maintenance personnel

For further informaFon about  joining the PVMC IRT workinggroup, please contact:

ScoH McWilliams(518) 649-­‐1047scoH.mcwilliams@uspvmc.org

PVMC is funded by the DOE under agreement  number DE-­‐EE0004947