Optimizing Solar Performance: Finding the right solutions for inspecting and maintaining solar panels and solar farms
The global shift toward renewable energy has made solar power a crucial element of sustainability efforts. As solar farms and rooftop installations expand, the demand for accurate, reliable, and efficient maintenance tools continues to grow greater and greater. Early fault detection and proactive system monitoring are key to ensuring maximum energy output and preventing costly failures.
FLIR designed it’s latest suite of test and measurement diagnostic tools specifically for solar energy professionals, clean energy maintenance teams, and electrical inspectors. With easy-to-use infrared imaging, electrical testing, and real-time safety and performance monitoring with the FLIR METERLiNK® app, these tools help optimize solar installations—from individual panels to massive solar farms.
Why Routine Solar Inspections Are Critical
Solar panels are designed to withstand harsh conditions, but their performance can be impacted by hot spots, wiring issues, shading, dirt accumulation, and inverter failures. Undetected problems can lead to energy losses, increased operational costs, and even fire hazards.
Regular inspections using advanced diagnostic tools allow technicians to identify issues early, maintain peak efficiency, and extend the life of the system. With FLIR’s latest solutions, professionals can perform quick, accurate, and comprehensive assessments of solar panel performance and electrical integrity.
The right tools for the job
From thermal imaging cameras to solar clamp meters and irradiance and temperature meters, FLIR’s solutions take the guesswork out of solar inspections and maintenance.
FLIR TG268 24:1 Spot IR Thermal Imaging Camera with Bullseye Laser and Type K Thermocouple
Identifying Hot Spots and Faults
The ability to safely inspect energized electrical systems can be a huge time-saver for solar technicians. A thermal imaging camera offers advantages over a single-spot IR thermometer, in that it allows the user to gather accurate data across the target.
Why It’s Essential
• Detects hot spots and faulty cells before they cause failures: Thermal cameras detect and visualize heat, allowing technicians to quickly and safely scan across energized equipment, identify overheating solar cells, and detect the temperature variations that could be a sign of diode failures or connection issues. Catching these problems early helps prevent energy loss, reduce fire risks, and extend panel lifespan.
• Speeds troubleshooting for faster repairs: Instead of manually inspecting each panel, thermal cameras provide a snapshot of temperature differences, allowing for rapid identification of problem areas. An advantage of FLIR thermal cameras such as the new T6268 is it features our patented MSX® image enhancement, technicians can locate problem areas faster than with non-IR maintenance methods. This saves time and ensures that installation crews can address issues efficiently without unnecessary disassembly.
• Works in any lighting conditions: Unlike visual inspections which can be limited by weather conditions, lighting conditions, or dust/dirt buildup, the TG268’s thermal imaging technology works in low light, cloudy, or dusty environments—ensuring that maintenance can be performed year-round, in nearly any lighting. By integrating thermal imaging into routine inspections, solar technicians can quickly pinpoint inefficiencies and reduce system downtime.
Diagnosing Electrical Performance
Proper electrical performance is essential for any solar installation. The FLIR CM78-PV Solar Clamp Meter helps technicians monitor current, voltage, and resistance—ensuring solar arrays and inverters operate at peak efficiency.
Why It’s Essential
• Ensures safe and accurate voltage and current assessments: FLIR designed the CM78-PV to safely measure high DC voltages and currents found in solar power systems. It helps technicians confirm that solar panels, inverters, and batteries are functioning correctly while reducing the risk of electrical hazards.
• Takes quick system performance diagnostics: By providing real-time measurements of voltage, current, and power output, the CM78-PV helps detect faulty wiring, failed diodes, or underperforming solar panels, which allows for faster troubleshooting and minimizes downtime in solar installations.
• Troubleshoots solar power systems: With its True RMS technology, the FLIR CM78-PV ensures correct voltage and current readings in solar inverters, battery storage systems, and high-power DC circuits, preventing misdiagnosis of system issues.
FLIR CM78-PV CAT III 1500 V Solar Clamp Meter
Using the CM78-PV, professionals can diagnose faults, prevent power losses, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
FLIR PV78 Solar Irradiance and Temperature Meter with Tilt Sensor
The PV78 connected and sending data to the METERLiNK app
Measuring Solar Efficiency
How do you know if a solar panel is operating at full capacity? To assess a solar panel’s true efficiency, technicians must measure solar irradiance and panel temperature under real-world conditions. The FLIR PV78 Solar Irradiance & Temperature Meter provides instant readings to help optimize system performance.
Why It’s Essential
• Ensures optimal sun exposure: The PV78 measures solar irradiance (W/m²), ensuring that solar panels are installed in locations with maximum sun exposure. This is crucial for optimizing energy production and determining whether shading or environmental factors are reducing efficiency.
• Prevents efficiency loss through temperature monitoring: Solar panel performance decreases as temperature increases. The PV78 includes panel surface temperature measurement, helping technicians evaluate whether cooling strategies or proper ventilation is needed to maintain efficiency and prolong the lifespan of solar modules.
• Supports performance benchmarks and troubleshooting: By providing real-time data on irradiance and temperature, the PV78 allows for accurate efficiency calculations. Technicians can compare expected vs. actual performance, detect underperforming panels, and identify potential system issues before they escalate.
With the PV78, installers can optimize panel placement, reduce inefficiencies, and improve energy output.
What is METERLiNK?
This free app for Android or iOS smart devices can be your source for data from the FLIR meters and cameras you use every day. Compatible with a range of Test & Measurement and thermal imaging products, METERLiNK helps you inspect and report on electro/mechanical and environmental assets quickly and easily.
Digging Deeper Into Performance Analysis
For a detailed performance diagnosis, the FLIR PV48 Solar Panel Tester & I-V Curve Tracer is an affordable easy-to-use device for analyzing voltage, current, and power output, helping to detect panel degradation, electrical failures, and inverter issues.
Why It’s Essential
• Verifies solar panel performance with I-V curve tracing: The PV48 generates an I-V (current-voltage) curve, allowing technicians to analyze panel efficiency, identify shading effects, and detect degradation. This ensures solar panels are operating at their maximum potential before and after installation.
• Detects hidden electrical faults, diode issues, and shading problems: By measuring open-circuit voltage (OCV), short-circuit current (SCC), and maximum power point (Pmax), the PV48 can pinpoint damaged cells, weak bypass diodes, or connection issues—problems that visual inspections alone can't detect.
• Offers instant, on-site diagnostics: Instead of relying on assumptions or complex calculations, the PV48 provides instant test results in the field. This helps solar installers and maintenance teams reduce downtime, improve system reliability, and ensure compliance with performance standards.
FLIR PV48 Solar Panel Tester & I-V Curve Tracer
With the PV48, professionals can conduct in-depth diagnostics and ensure every panel is operating at maximum efficiency.
Best Practices for Solar Panel Inspection
To get the most out of FLIR’s advanced test and measurement tools, follow these best practices:
• Conduct inspections during peak sunlight hours for accurate performance assessments.
• Use thermal imaging alongside electrical testing for a complete system evaluation.
• Compare inspection data over time to detect patterns in panel degradation.
• Keep detailed inspection records for maintenance planning and warranty claims.
The Future of Solar Maintenance
As solar energy adoption continues to grow, efficient maintenance and inspection strategies will become increasingly important. FLIR’s latest test and measurement tools provide industry professionals with the precision and reliability they need to keep solar panels and solar farms operating at peak efficiency.
By combining thermal imaging, electrical diagnostics, and real-time performance analysis, FLIR thermal imaging cameras and solar testing tools are helping to maximize solar energy production, reduce downtime, and ensure long-term system reliability.
Investing in the right tools today means a more sustainable and energy-efficient tomorrow.
