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Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array Under

Shading Effects Using Thermal Imaging Camera

Article · October 2017

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 International Journal of Electrical Machines and Drives
Vol. 3: Issue 1
www.journalspub.com

Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array

Under Shading Effects Using Thermal Imaging Camera
A.S. Chaudhary, D.K. Chaturvedi
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dei, Dayalbagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

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.

Keywords: hot spots, power loss, shading effect, solar array, thermal imaging camera

Corresponding Authors
E-mail: akashsinghchaudhary@gmail.com, dkc.foe@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION THERMOGRAPHY AND THERMAL

In recent years the solar power generation
had established a strong platform due to its
numerous advantages and applications.
Hence, gaining popularity day by day.
Source of solar energy is sun. Solar energy
obtained from sun is inexhaustible, clean,
safe for environment and reduces green-
house gas emission. Solar photovoltaic
technology is one of the technique used for
the generation of solar power and involves
many components in it [1].
Generation of hot spots on the surface of
solar module are very common and are
responsible for a huge power consumption
in the module. Dust, dirt, shade of a
tree/building, bird droppings are few
reasons of hot spot. If these hot spots are
not detected well in time they may affect
the neighbor cells and can affect/damage
the generation of solar power [2].
IMAGING CAMERA
Every object has energy which is emitted
in the form of heat above absolute zero (–
273°C). This heat energy is emitted in the
form of Electromagnetic radiation and is
known as Radiant Energy or Thermal
Energy. This radiant energy is used in
thermal imaging applications. The working
principle of thermal imaging is based on
two laws first is total radiation law which
says that total incident energy is equal to
the sum of absorbed energy, reflected
energy and transmitted energy. The second
law is Stefan–Boltzmann law which states
that ‘total radiant heat of a body is
proportional to the emissivity and fourth
power of temperature’ W=σƐT4 where W=
Total radiant energy of an object (W/m2),
σ= Stefan’s Boltzmann constant
–8
(5.6697×10 W/m K ), Ɛ= Emissivity of
2 4
object, T= Absolute temperature of object.

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Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array Chaudhary and Chaturvedi

Therefore, radiant energy emitted by an technique to convert the Infra-red

object is proportional to its temperature
[3]. Infra-red radiation is the portion of
electromagnetic spectrum and are not
visible by naked eye. They have the range
of wavelength from 0.78 to 1000 μm. This
range is further divided into three sub
range as near IR (0.78–0.25 μm) and far IR
(0.25–1000 μm). For suitable thermal
measurements, this range is 0.78–14 μm
while the range for solar radiation is 0.25–
3 μm.
A German Astromer Frederick William
Herschel (1738–1822) on February 11th,
1800 discovered Infra-Red (in Latin-below
red) from the spectrum of sunlight. He
found that the nonvisible radiation (below
red light) are responsible to heat an object
by attaining the hottest temperature in the
rainbow created by sunlight and called
these nonvisible radiations as calorific rays
or infra-red radiation. The spectrum of
electromagnetic radiation is shown below
in Figure 1 [4, 5].
The word thermography means ‘writing
with heat’. Infra-red thermography is a
radiations (Infra-red energy) into
thermograph without making any contact
with the object used for measurement. A
device that detects the infra-red radiations
and produces a thermogram of radiations
is known as Thermal Imaging Camera.
These thermographs aka thermogram are
detailed temperature distribution patterns
represented by different colors [6].
Thermography can be classified as Infra-
red thermography, Pulse thermography
and Lock-in thermography. Among the
above mentioned infra-red thermography
is mostly used as a diagnostic tool to
detect faults and failures of solar module
or big solar plants. The pulse
thermography need an external source of
heat for its analysis. It is costly and used
for military applications. The lock-in
thermography does its analysis at a locked
frequency and is used to detect hot spots,
micro cracks, etc. in solar modules [7].
The thermal imaging technology is can be
understood with the help of following
block diagram in Figure 2.

Fig. 1. Electromagnetic spectrum of radiation.

IR
IR source Infrared Detector SPU Display Unit
Lens

Fig. 2. Block diagram of thermal imaging technology.

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 International Journal of Electrical Machines and Drives
The infra-red radiations emitted by the
infra-red energy sources are focused by
infra-red lens on IR detector (infra-red
detector). The IR detector converts IR
radiations into electrical signal and
produces a thermogram, this thermogram is
transmitted to signal processing unit. The
signal processing unit sends an output
signal to display as various colors in the
form of a thermal image on the display unit
[8].
On the basis of design, the thermal imaging
cameras can be classified as uncooled
thermal imaging camera and cooled
thermal imaging camera. The uncooled
camera operates in ambient conditions and
are cheaper, compact, fast to start, but are
less sensitive and produce a low-quality
image. The cooled thermal imaging camera
are expensive because they use cryogenic
cooling to lower the temperature of the
vacuum sealed cooled detector (below
room temperature) [9].
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL AND
ARRAY
The solar power has numerous of
applications over the other renewable
sources of energy. It is available in
abundance, and is a safe for environment.
The solar power is obtained from sun. The
solar radiations from sun are received by
photovoltaic solar cells, which convert
solar energy into the electrical energy.
These photovoltaic solar cells are the
smallest component of solar photovoltaic
generation system. The following Figures 3
and 4 show the equivalent circuit diagram
of a solar cell and physical appearance of a
mono crystalline photovoltaic solar cell,
respectively.
Fig. 3. Equivalent circuit diagram of a
solar cell.
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Fig. 4. Mono crystalline PV solar cell.
The output current equation of a solar cell
can be written as:
  VD    V  I R 
I pv  Iph  I O  e  T   1  
ηV pv pv se
  
  
R sh

where, Ipv = output current of
photovoltaic cell, Vpv = output voltage of
photovoltaic cell, Iph = photovoltaic
generated current, ID = diode current, Ish =
shunt current, Rse = series resistance, Rsh
= shunt resistance.
Generally, a silicon photovoltaic cell
produces about 3 watt at DC output
voltage of 0.5 volts. The solar photovoltaic
cells can be categorized into mono-
crystalline, poly-crystalline, amorphous
and organic cells. Many solar cells
combine in a combination to form solar
photovoltaic module. The solar
photovoltaic modules are arranged in
series or in parallel combination depending
upon the requirement to form solar
photovoltaic array [10, 11].
EFFECT OF SHADING OF TREE
LEAVES ON SOLAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY
When shadow fall or some deposit got
stuck on solar module/panel surface the
affected solar cells (shaded cells or cells
under deposit) produce less photon current
compared to fully illuminated solar cells
so the affected solar cells become reverse
bias. The affected solar cells act as a load
and consume power from the fully
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Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array
illuminated solar cells. This dissipation of
power is in the form of heat. If reverse bias
exceed the breakdown voltage of cell, then
cell is damaged due increased temperature
and affects the neighboring cells. This
effect causes a thermal stress which results
into Hot spots. These hot spots cause
heating, reduction in the power generation
of solar cell along with a huge power
consumption of the solar cells of
module/panel [12, 13].
The following Figure 5 shows that when as
well as the effect of dust and dirt (bird
deposits, cement deposits, soil, etc.) the
problem of hotspots develop on the surface
of solar module/panel.
THERMOGRAPHY IN SHADING
EFFECT
When solar photovoltaic module/panels
are exposed to dust and dirt, bird
droppings, deposition of soil, snow
deposition, shading effect (shade of tree,
building, leaves, etc.) the problem of
ageing effect, degradation effect,
Fig. 5. Formation of hot spots due to shading of tree leaves and deposition effect on solar
module surface.
IJEMD (2017) 15–23 © JournalsPub 2017. All Rights Reserved
Chaudhary and Chaturvedi
delamination of solar module frame,
discoloration and cracking of bus bars,
cracking of EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate),
blisters, faults in junction box and hotspots
arise. As these problems cause heating loss
of power in solar photovoltaic panels. The
problems due to ageing and degradation
can be detected by visual inspection but
problems occur due to some defects like
bird deposition, cement deposition,
shading of tree, bubble at the back surface
of solar panels, etc. cannot be detected by
naked eye. For observing such effects
thermography is used. It is one of the
efficient technique used to capture the
thermal images of the objects without any
physical contact and very useful in the
determination of heat in terms of
temperature distribution. Thermal imaging
camera shows these defects in terms of
visible heat radiations on camera screen.
The shading effects and hot spots can
easily be determined with the help of
thermal images captured by these thermal
imaging camera [14–16].
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WORK DONE FOR HOT SPOT AND Table 2 shows specifications of a single
POWER LOSS IN SOLAR PV ARRAY solar photovoltaic module used in the
USING THERMAL IMAGING experiment.
CAMERA
The analysis for hot spot and power loss Table 2. Specifications of a single solar
observation is performed using Kusam- PV module.
Meco Thermal imaging camera Model TE- Solar PV module Values/specifications
P and Kusam Meco clampmeter with a Company BHEL
thermocouple (for current, voltage, Module no. L20220
temperature measurement), on four strings Pmax 220 Wp
of solar PV array. All the analysis was Voc 36 V
performed when the load is connected to Isc 8.3 A
all strings. The thermal images are Vmp 29 V
Imp 7.60 A
captured using thermal imaging camera
Max system voltage 1000 V
and the specifications of thermal imaging
Bypass diode rating 15 A
camera are mentioned in the Table 1.
Max over current protection 15 A
Table 1. Specifications of thermal imaging
STC (standard test Insolation 1000 W/m2
camera. conditions)
Information Value AM 1.5
Detector type Uncooled FPA Microbolometer Cell 25°C
Array 160×120 Temp.
Spectral range 8-14μm
Measurement temp. –20°C to +350° C The Figure 6 shows the location and
Environment oper. temp –15 to +50°C
Environment humidity ≤90% Noncondensing constructional block diagram of the solar
Accuracy ±2°C photovoltaic modules, which form an
Thermal sensitivity ≤0.1°C @ 30°C array. J1, J2, J3, J4 are the junction boxes
Color palatte 11 Changeable
for string 1, string 2, string 3, string 4.
Laser pointer Class 2, 1 mw/635 nm (red)

Fig. 6. Block diagram of solar photovoltaic array.

The number of modules in four strings are arrangenment of all strings (string 1, 2, 3,
connected in combination of series and 4, respectively) and modules are given in
parallel forming a complete solar PV Table 3.
array. The detailed constructional

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Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array Chaudhary and Chaturvedi

Table 3. Strings and modules. • Case 2: Observation of hotspot and

No. of strings No. of modules
String 1(a+b+c) 6+6+6=18
String 2 18
String 3 18
String 4 18
Array (4 strings together) 72
The array was located on the roof of the
building with trees in the west direction.
Though strings are placed at a specified
distance, the shade of one string as well as
shade of tree falls on solar module surface
after noon in the month of January as per
Indian standard of time. The climate of
India allows to deposit the dust and dirt
with few bird droppings also on solar
module/panel surface.
The shade of tree falls on string 1, string 2,
string 3 only while string 4 is completely
free from any kind of shading. Therefore,
two cases are considered for observation
analysis:
• Case 1: Observation of hotspot and
power loss without shade using
thermal imaging camera
power loss with shade using thermal
imaging camera
In both cases, first a comparison of normal
camera images and thermal images is done
to show the temperature attained by solar
panels and observation of hotspots under
the effect of no shade of tree and under
shade of tree.
Then secondly electrical parameters are
shown in Tables 4 and 5 respectively to
show the reduction of electrical power
generated due to shading effect of tree on
solar photovoltaic array.
Case 1: Observation of hotspot and power
loss without shade using thermal imaging
camera:
At 10.30 am when there was no shade of
the tree the test was conducted.
Temperature was 16°C with humidity
72%, UV 6 and wind velocity SW 2.1 m/s.
Figure 7(a–h) shows normal camera
images and thermal images for string 1, 2,
3, 4 without shade of tree on solar
photovoltaic array, respectively.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g) (h)

Fig. 7. (a) string 1, (b) string 2, (c) string 3, (d) string 4 show normal camera images and (e)
string 1, (f) string 2, (g) string 3, (h) string 4 show thermal images under without shading of
tree.

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 International Journal of Electrical Machines and Drives
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(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g) (h)

Fig. 8. (a) string 1, (b) string 2, (c) string 3, (d) string 4 show normal camera images and (e)
string 1, (f) string 2, (g) string 3, (h) string 4 show thermal images under with shading of
tree.

Figure 7 shows that at 10.30 am when
there was no shade of tree on solar
photovoltaic array the hotspots were not
observed. The heat generated by solar
panels are visible in thermal images
captured by thermal imaging camera with
maximum and minimum temperatures
mentioned on temperature scale.
• Case 2: Observation of hotspot and
power loss with shade using thermal
imaging camera
The shade of a tree comes in afternoon, so
at 04.30 pm measurement were done.
Temperature was 25°C with humidity
24%, UV 1 and wind velocity W 5.1 m/s.
Figure 8(a–h) shows normal camera
images and thermal images for string 1, 2,
3, 4 with shade of tree on solar
photovoltaic array, respectively.
Figure 8 shows that at 04.30 pm when
shade of tree falls on solar photovoltaic
array the hotspots were observed in string
1. The shade on solar panels lower the
temperature and affects the generation of
power loss. This effect of shading of tree is
visible in thermal images captured by
thermal imaging camera with maximum
and minimum temperatures mentioned on
temperature scale. The dark blue color
represents low temperature and bright
yellow color represents high temperature
in thermal images. The temperature of
hotspots can also be measured using
thermal images.
The output current, output voltage of solar
panels (string 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively) were
measured to calculate the power generated.
Table 4 shows measured electrical
parameters without shade of tree on solar
panels for case 1.
Table 4. Electrical parameter of string 1,
string 2, string 3, string 4 without shade.
Date and time: 23.02.17 (10.30 am) case 1
Name/parameters Str 1 Str 2 Str 3 Str 4 Total array
IOutput (A) 4.12 4.45 0.04 4.35 12.96
VOutput (V) 504 502 506 502 505
POutput (kw) 2.076 2.233 0.020 2.183 6.544
To calculate the power generated for case
2 the output current, output voltage of

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Observing Hotspots and Power Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Array
solar panels (string 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively)
were measured with shade of tree on solar
panels as shown in Table 5.
[3]
Table 5. Electrical parameter of string 1,
string 2, string 3, string 4 with shade.
Date and time: 23.02.17 (04.30 pm) case 2
Name/parameters Str 1 Str 2 Str 3 Str 4 Total array
IOutput (A) 0.42 0.30 0.02 2.08 2.82
VOutput (V) 492 491 490 490 490 [4]
POutput (kw) 0.206 0.147 0.009 1.019 1.381
CONCLUSION [5]
The paper shows that when shade of tree
falls on solar photovoltaic array, the solar
panels under shading produce hotspots and
loss in generated electrical power output. [6]
These hot spots are not visible in normal
photograph images but are clearly visible
in thermal images when temperature of
particular solar panel is lower than
ambient temperature. The shaded cells of [7]
solar panel develop a reverse voltage drop
and increases the temperature of the
shaded cells which causes power
dissipation of the particular shaded cell in
the form of heat to develop hot spots.
Therefore, in captured thermal images, the
temperature of hot spots is observed higher
than the nearby cells. [8]
The generated output power during
shading is less as compared to the output
power without shading. Tables 4 and 5
respectively show difference in generated [9]
output power of solar photovoltaic array.
Due to shading effect of tree the generated
output power of solar photovoltaic array is
reduced compared to generated output
power without shading effect, as most of [10]
the power is dissipated as heat produced
due to hotspots.
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BIOGRAPHIES
Akash Singh Chaudhary obtained BSc
Engineering in branch of Electrical
Engineering in 2005 and M. Tech in
Engineering Systems in 2007 from Faculty
of Engineering, D.E.I. Deemed University,
Dayalbagh Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. He
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has total seven years of teaching
experience as Guest Lecturer, Lecturer, Sr.
Lecturer and Asstt. Professor in Electrical
Engineeing Department of various
institutions. He is actively involved in
teaching and currently working as research
scholar to persue PhD in Electrical Engg.
Department from Dayalbagh Educational
Institute, Deemed University, Dayalbagh,
Agra, Uttar pradesh, India in the area of
electrical power system with research
objectives in health monitoring of solar
photovoltaics. Mr. Chaudhry is a life
member of ISTE and his research interest
includes networks aisnalys, electrical
machines, solar photovoltaics, digital
image processing.
Prof. D.K. Chaturvedi did his B.E. from
Govt. Engineering College Ujjain, M.P.
then he did his M.Tech. (gold medalist)
and Ph.D. from D.E.I. Dayalbagh. He has
received Young Scientists Fellowship
from DST, Government of India. He is the
Fellow IE(I), ASI and IETE. ADRDE lab
of DRDO conferred him life time
achievement award for his valuable
contributions in field of aeronautics. He is
the consultant of DRDO. He had edited a
book on ethics and values; and also
authored three books in soft computing,
modeling and simulation and electrical
machines lab manual. Presently Prof.
Chaturvedi is working in Elect. Eng. and
having additional load of HoD, Dept. of
Footwear Technology, Training and
Placement officer, D.E.I. and Advisor, IEI
Students’ Chapter (Elect. Eng.).
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