Using thermal infrared surveying to commission utility-scale, commercial ground-mounted, and rooftop solar installations (Conference Presentation)

Gregory R. Stockton

doi:10.1117/12.2560102

27 April 2020 Using thermal infrared surveying to commission utility-scale, commercial ground-mounted, and rooftop solar installations (Conference Presentation)

Gregory R. Stockton

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11409, Thermosense: Thermal Infrared Applications XLII; 1140909 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2560102
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

Thermal infrared surveying is a great way to commission solar installations in-situ. After analyzing and commissioning over three gigawatts of solar panels in the past seven years, we have figured out what works and importantly, what does not work. All solar fields are not the same. Before planning a site visit, the thermographer must take into account the size and layout of the field, the types of panels, how the panels are wired, and then the best timing of the survey. First, the platform and methodology for scanning needs to be chosen, then scheduling can take place. Correct timing of the survey is the most important factor because the amount of solar insolation is absolutely critical to successful testing. To successfully accomplish the testing under good conditions, many factors need to be predicted with accuracy. These include the layout of the field, the ambient conditions (such as rain, sun, clouds, wind speed), and the angle of the Sun preceding and during the survey.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Gregory R. Stockton "Using thermal infrared surveying to commission utility-scale, commercial ground-mounted, and rooftop solar installations (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 11409, Thermosense: Thermal Infrared Applications XLII, 1140909 (27 April 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2560102

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