High-throughput UVF systems for fast, non-contact inspection of PV panels.
“
The UVF-Spot pole mounted camera system has revealed a wide range of defects across many different panel types that were not visible using other techniques. The system is easy to use and doesn't require touching the MC4 cables. BrightSpot was very supportive in helping to interpret the UVF defect images and educating our team.
Dr. Amir Abdallah,
Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI)
Where It Works, It Works Great; UVF works best on panels with polymer backsheets that have been in the field already for a few years. As the encapsulant ages, its fluorescence image evolves, revealing some defects even more clearly than EL.
UVF is a high-throughput, non-contact method of imaging defects and bill of material variations in solar panels.
The UVF-Spot combines a high-power UV flash with a highly sensitive pole mounted camera and can image multiple panels every 5 seconds to see problems such as cell cracks, sealing failures, and bill of material (BOM) variations.
The UVF Kit is a lightweight, portable system for quick UV fluorescence testing in the field. It includes a handheld UV light source and a compact camera system, making it ideal for on-the-spot inspections, training, or field research.
UVF DroneSpot brings BrightSpot’s UV fluorescence imaging into the sky. This system is designed for large-scale inspection of solar farms, enabling fast detection of PID, delamination, and encapsulant degradation from above.
See what UVF can do compared to Electroluminescence and Photoluminescence
| Factor | EL | PL | UVF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noncontact – no need to bias cells/panels | Yes | No | No |
| High Throughput | No | No | Yes |
| New Panels | Yes | Yes | No |
| See cracks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| See disconnected cell segments | Yes | No | No |
| Tell “when” cracking happened | No | Yes | No |
| See cold solder or weld joints | Yes | No | No |
| See gridline corrosion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| See hot spots | No | No | Yes |
| See edge seal and junction box seal failure | No | No | Yes |
The UV Fluorescence technique works with panels that have polymer backsheets. Fluorophores are contained in panel encapsulants and backsheets – leading to fluorescence in the visible spectrum when exposed to UV light.
Here you’ll find white papers, case studies, and expert commentary designed to provide practical takeaways for professionals and decision-makers
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