Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for inspecting solar modules, and in particular systems and methods incorporating high-power light sources to impart ultraviolet fluorescence of solar modules. The systems and methods can include a filter and/or a camera.

The invention is a method to optimize solar photovoltaic power plant repowering by making use of the smart predictive and preventive maintenance which detects failures in modules or in cells within modules, i.e., aerial inspections by infrared thermography and/or electroluminescence. In the method object of the invention, the detected failed modules are separated in different types of failures: A—irreversible; B—reversible and C—partly reusable. Repowering consists on substituting modules of type A for new, more powerful ones, and re-group them series-connected within the same strings (1). Modules with type B failures are repaired and installed back in their original place, and modules C are either re-grouped in series-strings, or substituted by new, more powerful modules, also series connected in strings (1).

The invention is a method to optimize solar photovoltaic power plant repowering by making use of the smart predictive and preventive maintenance which detects failures in modules or in cells within modules, i.e., aerial inspections by infrared thermography and/or electroluminescence. In the method object of the invention, the detected failed modules are separated in different types of failures: A—irreversible; B—reversible and C—partly reusable. Repowering consists on substituting modules of type A for new, more powerful ones, and re-group them series-connected within the same strings (1). Modules with type B failures are repaired and installed back in their original place, and modules C are either re-grouped in series-strings, or substituted by new, more powerful modules, also series connected in strings (1).

A photovoltaic string location update method and apparatus includes: obtaining, based on a physical map, a physical location of a first photovoltaic string corresponding to a first logical location in the physical map, the physical map indicating a correspondence between a logical location of a photovoltaic string and a physical location of the photovoltaic string, and the photovoltaic string includes the first photovoltaic string; and when the physical location of the first photovoltaic string in the physical map is different from a first actual physical location of the first photovoltaic string, updating the physical location of the photovoltaic string in the physical map to the first actual physical location, to obtain an updated physical map. The first actual physical location of the photovoltaic string is inconsistent with the physical location in the physical map, to prepare for subsequent operation and maintenance accurately performed on the photovoltaic string.

A photovoltaic string location update method and apparatus includes: obtaining, based on a physical map, a physical location of a first photovoltaic string corresponding to a first logical location in the physical map, the physical map indicating a correspondence between a logical location of a photovoltaic string and a physical location of the photovoltaic string, and the photovoltaic string includes the first photovoltaic string; and when the physical location of the first photovoltaic string in the physical map is different from a first actual physical location of the first photovoltaic string, updating the physical location of the photovoltaic string in the physical map to the first actual physical location, to obtain an updated physical map. The first actual physical location of the photovoltaic string is inconsistent with the physical location in the physical map, to prepare for subsequent operation and maintenance accurately performed on the photovoltaic string.

This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.

This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.

A method for inspection for a photovoltaic module or cell is disclosed. The method includes acquiring one or more polarimetric images of the photovoltaic module or cell using a camera which may include a polarization sensor, analyzing the one or more polarimetric images, and identifying a presence of a defect in the photovoltaic module or cell. A device for inspection for a photovoltaic module or cell is also disclosed, wherein the device includes a camera having a polarimetric sensor and is configured to be positioned at one or more locations relative to a location of the photovoltaic module or cell.

A method for inspection for a photovoltaic module or cell is disclosed. The method includes acquiring one or more polarimetric images of the photovoltaic module or cell using a camera which may include a polarization sensor, analyzing the one or more polarimetric images, and identifying a presence of a defect in the photovoltaic module or cell. A device for inspection for a photovoltaic module or cell is also disclosed, wherein the device includes a camera having a polarimetric sensor and is configured to be positioned at one or more locations relative to a location of the photovoltaic module or cell.

Systems and methods for autonomous drone-based solar panel maintenance may utilize drone positioning, image analysis, and processing to determine solar panel angle and clarity.