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Developing Inspection Methodology of Solar Energy Plants by Thermal Infrared Sensor on Board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Author

Listed:
  • Dong Ho Lee

    (Department of Rural and Agricultural Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Korea)

  • Jong Hwa Park

    (Department of Rural and Agricultural Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Korea)

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation facilities have been built on various scales due to rapid growth in response to demand for renewable energy. Facilities built on diverse terrain and on such a scale are required to employ fast and accurate monitoring technology for stable electrical production and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to develop a technology to analyze the normal operation and failure of solar modules by acquiring images by attaching optical and thermal infrared sensors to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and producing orthographic images of temperature information. The results obtained in this study are as follows: (1) a method of using optical and thermal infrared sensors with different resolutions at the same time is able to produce accurate spatial information, (2) it is possible to produce orthographic images of thermal infrared images, (3) the analysis of the temperature fluctuation characteristics of the solar panel and cell showed that the abnormal module and cell displayed a larger temperature change than the normal module and cell, and (4) the abnormal heat generation of the panel and cell can be accurately discerned by the abnormal state panel and cell through the spatial distribution of the temperature. It is concluded that the inspection method of the solar module using the obtained UAV-based thermal infrared sensor can be useful for safety inspection and monitoring of the rapidly growing solar power generation facility.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong Ho Lee & Jong Hwa Park, 2019. "Developing Inspection Methodology of Solar Energy Plants by Thermal Infrared Sensor on Board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:15:p:2928-:d:253010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Djordjevic, Sinisa & Parlevliet, David & Jennings, Philip, 2014. "Detectable faults on recently installed solar modules in Western Australia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 215-221.
    2. Gastli, Adel & Charabi, Yassine, 2010. "Solar electricity prospects in Oman using GIS-based solar radiation maps," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 790-797, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Segovia Ramírez, Isaac & Pliego Marugán, Alberto & García Márquez, Fausto Pedro, 2022. "A novel approach to optimize the positioning and measurement parameters in photovoltaic aerial inspections," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 371-389.
    2. Wei-Hsiang Chiang & Han-Sheng Wu & Jong-Shinn Wu & Shiow-Jyu Lin, 2022. "A Method for Estimating On-Field Photovoltaics System Efficiency Using Thermal Imaging and Weather Instrument Data and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Gianfranco Di Lorenzo & Erika Stracqualursi & Leonardo Micheli & Salvatore Celozzi & Rodolfo Araneo, 2022. "Prognostic Methods for Photovoltaic Systems’ Underperformance and Degradation: Status, Perspectives, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-6, September.
    4. Sergio Bemposta Rosende & Javier Sánchez-Soriano & Carlos Quiterio Gómez Muñoz & Javier Fernández Andrés, 2020. "Remote Management Architecture of UAV Fleets for Maintenance, Surveillance, and Security Tasks in Solar Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-23, November.
    5. Hailong Huang & Andrey V. Savkin & Wei Ni, 2020. "Energy-Efficient 3D Navigation of a Solar-Powered UAV for Secure Communication in the Presence of Eavesdroppers and No-Fly Zones," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, March.
    6. Kyoik Choi & Jangwon Suh, 2023. "Fault Detection and Power Loss Assessment for Rooftop Photovoltaics Installed in a University Campus, by Use of UAV-Based Infrared Thermography," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Agnieszka Hajdukiewicz & Bożena Pera, 2020. "International Trade Disputes over Renewable Energy—the Case of the Solar Photovoltaic Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.

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