Fault analysis possibilities for PV panels

The importance of photovoltaic cell/module as a continuous operating system is a well-known necessity. Reliable predictive and preventive maintenance techniques are needed to assure lifetime efficiency in service. For this we need to know what kind of defects can occur, the most probable frequency and where it can appear. The current paper investigates a nondestructive method based on infrared (IR) thermography with the help of which solar panels measurements were made. Hot spots invisible to naked eye are put into evidence and local, dust accumulated particles where detected and analysed.