Thermographic Report - Insights

Thermographic Report - Insights

Substring Faults 

Cases of substring or junction box faults are obvious warranty claims as they breach both product and performance warranties. An open substring typically results in a one-third reduction in power output and may indicate issues with the junction box or the cell itself. The junction box in a solar module contains bypass diodes that allow current to bypass faulty or shaded cells. We recommend you liaise with the specific module OEM to understand the claim process for this defect type. Typically, additional site collection is required, such as:   
    • Visual Inspection of module components 
      • Check the front side of the module cells for damage evidence  
      • Check the Junction box for evidence of overheating, burn marks, or moisture ingress 
    • Hand-held thermal inspection of the module components 
      • Check the Junction Box for evidence of a heated diode 
      • Check the front side of the module (If required by OEM - Optional)  
      • Check the back side of the module (If required by OEM - Optional) 
    • Module Serial Number collection 
    • Voc measurement (If required by OEM - Optional) 
 
Please ensure you follow all requisite Health & Safety guidance and protocols before carrying out any work on site. 

 

Heated Modules (Individual) 

An individual heated module can have several root causes, including an open circuit resulting from loose connections, shading objects that activate all three diodes, or a specific junction box defect. There may also be claimable product defects causing current leaks, particularly in wet or humid conditions. These product defects can be linked to various module components (frame, cell, back sheet), which often lead to water ingress and low RISO values.

When visually inspecting these modules on the field if you find any pattern like what is shown on the Visual Inspection Checklist table, please speak to your Above representative as we can support you in strategizing your warranty claim approach against the module OEM. 

    • Visual inspection of the electrical components/connections 

      • Check wiring for loose, frayed or damaged cables 

      • Check DC string connecter for disconnection, burn marks or damage. 

      • Check Junction Box for signs of overheating, burn marks, or moisture ingress. 

    • Visual inspection of the module components (if none of the above) 

    • Module Serial Number collection

Please ensure you follow all requisite Health & Safety guidance and protocols before carrying out any work on site. 

 

Heated Modules (String Level) 

Offline strings can have several root causes, including open circuits resulting from loose connections or damaged cables, shading objects, missing or damaged modules. There may also be claimable product defects causing current leaks, particularly in wet or humid conditions. These product defects can be linked to various module components (frame, cell, back sheet), which often lead to water ingress and low RISO values causing the full string to trip.

When visually inspecting these modules on the field if you find any pattern like what is shown on the Visual Inspection Checklist table, please speak to your Above representative as we can support you in strategizing your warranty claim approach against the module OEM. 

 

    • Visual inspection of the electrical components/connections 

      • Check wiring for loose, frayed or damaged cables 

      • Check DC string connecter for disconnection, burn marks or damage. 

      • Check Junction Box for signs of overheating, burn marks, or moisture ingress. 

    • Visual inspection of the module components (if none of the above) 

    • Module Serial Number collection

Please ensure you follow all requisite Health & Safety guidance and protocols before carrying out any work on site. 

 

Hot Spots and Multiple Hot Cells (without Root Cause) 

Hot Spots or Multiple Hot Cells can have different performance impacts on the modules, typically linked with temperate gradient. For those modules identified without a root cause associated (not seen in the drone footage), it is important to proceed with field investigation as some of the modules may be eligible for a Warranty Claim (typically those with Dtn >20ºC without an obvious impact damage) or in a worse scenario, presenting a HSE risk, due to  higher Dtn.

Furthermore, it is important to investigate and address these types of defects rather than leaving them unaddressed as the different module components have different expansions coefficients. Failing to attend to a hot spot or multiple hot cells can significantly impact the overall condition of the module in the long term.

When visually inspecting these modules on the field if you find any pattern like what is shown
 on the Visual Inspection Checklist table, please reach your Above representative as we can support you in strategizing your warranty claim approach against the module OEM. 

    • Visual inspection the surroundings for any shading object not picked up by the Drone 

    • Visual inspection of the module for obvious damage (if not the above) 

      • Check for any apparent impact damage, shattered or cracked glass 

      • Module replacement 

    • Visual inspection of the module’s components (if none of the above) 

    • Hand-held thermal inspection to confirm if the anomaly persists (if none of the above) 

      • Front side of the module

    • Module Serial Number collection 

Please ensure you follow all requisite Health & Safety guidance and protocols before carrying out any work on site. 

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