Inspection techniques in photovoltaic power plants: A review of electroluminescence and photoluminescence imaging

Abstract

The growth of photovoltaic power plants in both size and number has spurred the development of new approaches in inspection techniques. The most commonly employed methods include visual inspections, current-voltage measurements, infrared thermography, and luminescence imaging. Luminescence, rooted in the electromagnetic radiation capture of semiconductor structures that make up solar cells, proves effective in detecting various failures that may occur throughout the lifespan of a photovoltaic module. This phenomenon can be induced either by injecting current into the photovoltaic module (Electroluminescence) or through optical excitation using an appropriate light source (Photoluminescence). This paper offers an overview of the conventional outdoor luminescence imaging technique, delving into its applications and limitations. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive review of innovative outdoor luminescence technique approaches. These novel techniques aim to address several limitations of conventional methods, such as the considerably lower luminescence emission intensity compared to solar radiation, the need for external energy sources for current injection, the required acquisition time, and the necessity of disconnecting the solar module.