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Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array Under Shading Effects Using Thermal Imaging Camera

Akash Singh Chaudhary, D.K. Chaturvedi

Abstract


Shading is an important factor considered when solar photovoltaic array is installed. The shading of tree, building, chimney etc. affects the performance of solar panels by forming hotspots and reducing the power output. These hot spots are not visible by naked eye, so a thermal imaging camera is used to capture the thermal images of solar photovoltaic array under shading effects. Thermal imaging camera captures thermal images of hotspots which show a temperature distribution in terms of a colored pattern known as thermogram. Thermal imaging camera works on principle of thermography. This paper discusses the observation analysis of hotspots using thermal imaging and electrical analysis for power loss due to hotspots under shading effect on solar photovoltaic array. The effects of shading of tree on individual solar strings are also discussed with the help of comparing thermal images with normal camera images.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37628/ijemd.v3i1.549

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