Our work
Impressions of on-site inspections
The smart inspection concept for any PV plant worldwide
We examine the quality of photovoltaic systems without dismantling.
Are the modules ok? Were they damaged during assembly? Are the yields too low?
Aerial PV inspection identifies and locates faults precisely.
We combine and automate classic and preventive inspections of solar power plants with image-based methods like thermography, electroluminescence and UV-fluorescence measurements, and with IV-curve recording by day and night, isolation issues detection, serial number scan, and geography data referencing.
To this end we employ tripod- and drone-based sensor systems, providing a cost-effective check-up by systematic sampling or 100% screening. EL measurements offer a comprehensive and exact assessment of faults on cell level and thus represent the tower of strength of the AePVI concept.
Electroluminescence analysis, thermography and combined measurements on-site by spezialised tripod- and UAV-systems
Inspection by remote-controlled measurement devices and power multiplexers such as AePVISwitch
Electroluminescence measurement without dismounting and transport of solar modules
Complete electroluminescence measurements or systematic sampling with specialized UAV- and tripod-systems such as AirLabONE and AirBridgeONE
Measurements in one step: additional IV-curve-measurements by day and night, or isolation checks
Electroluminescence measurement and thermography for any PV-plant size worldwide, up to 1,000 images per hour
Depending on request and failure type, featuring automated image analysis
Impressions of on-site inspections
Solar panels produce electricity during the day. If connected to a power supply in darkness, however, they emit radiation in the near-infrared light spectrum, which is not visible by the naked eye.
High-resolution electroluminescence (EL) images look similar to x-ray images. Active cells appear bright to grey, while inactive or damaged cells appear dark to black. The grey scale seen in the images allows to determine the cause and the amount of damage already on-site.
With this image-based qualitative measurements, damages caused by mechanical stresses such as transportation, installation, hail, snow can be quickly detected. Moreover deterioration, broken cells, interconnections and defective by-pass diodes can be recognized as well as malfunctioning panels and strings.
The evaluation of the images is automated and uses machine learning to categorise module faults.
Aerial EL testing is the most cost-efficient method currently on the market for the clear and early detection of solar systems affected by potential-induced degradation (PID).
This testing method can furthermore be used to verify the recovery of PID-affected systems. It also enables the reproduction of sytem documentation in case of false or missing string plans.
January 2022
Make infrared better (2) - For PV commissioning electroluminescence is necessary
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December 2021
aepvi - developments (6) – Large-format modules require flexible tripods
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December 2021
aepvi news (12) - Start of R&D-Project on new PV Inspection Method
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November 2021
Make infrared better (1) - Real reference measurements are required
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October 2021
EL_zer0 (5) - Intelligent sample distribution during commissioning
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September 2021
aepvi news (11) - 4-year company anniversary
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August 2021
aepvi Review (1) - Automation of electroluminescence inspections
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July 2021
Electroluminescence drone inspection (7) - Technical applications
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Dr. Jan Schlipf
Managing Director
Software
Andreas Fladung
Managing Director
Projects
Get in touch
Aerial PV Inspection GmbH
HRB 21551, Aachen
+49 (0)241 990 3312
Im Johannistal 31a
52064 Aachen
Germany
