MEASUREMENT METHODS

In order to identify causes that lead to a loss of performance or to safety risks, measurements are carried out on site, which analyse individual areas or entire systems.

Well-founded facts are created, whereby

  • Targeted modules can be filtered out in order to keep the repair costs as low as possible

  • The volume of modules can be determined that should be submitted for guarantee / warranty review

  • Valid and comprehensible measured values ​​are determined, which represent the basis in the technical evidence procedure and are usually recognised by module manufacturers

On-site measurement studies are a basic requirement to enable sustainable and economically sensible optimisation of existing systems. Different measuring systems are used depending on the module type and the initial situation.

Our most common procedures are:

CTPM measurement (Current Transformer Power Measurement)

Determination of underperformance in thin-film modules or missing string monitoring
  • Specially developed by us
  • Measurement during operation
  • For fast and reliable performance measurement of systems with modules of thin-film technology (superstring interconnection)
  • Also for systems without or with imprecise string monitoring
  • Valid documentation base for asserting warranty claims or as evidence of an EEG-compliant revamping
  • Reliable comparability: reference of the measurement data to Standard Test Conditions (STC) according to IEC 60891
  • Maximum utilisation of the claim potential and avoidance of unnecessary dismantling and reassembly costs

Insulation resistance measurements (Riso)

Insulation resistance measurements according to DIN EN 61646, IEC 62446 and DGUV-V3
  • To comply with operator obligations
  • Reduction of the risks of personal injury and loss of earnings due to insulation faults and earth faults on the inverters
  • Commissioning measurements according to IEC 62446

Peak power and characteristic measurements

Current-voltage characteristics to determine errors and reduced power at the string and module level
  • Quality investigations of solar modules in the installed state to determine the performance – based on STC values ​​to check compliance with the manufacturer’s performance guarantees
  • The measurement of the internal series resistance enables the cell contacts, plugs and cables to be checked

Infrared thermography investigation in the field

Infrared (IR) inspection according to DIN EN 62446-3 for quality assurance and fire protection of running systems
  • Checking solar modules and PV systems in operation
  • The thermography inspection includes the inspection of electrical lines, distributions, fuses, switches, inverters, transformer stations, plugs and electrical connections
  • This check makes a significant contribution to fire protection of the electrical system, the availability of power generation is ensured and the quality of the solar modules is checked

Quality assurance through electroluminescence testing

Electroluminescence recordings and evaluation according to IEC TS 60904
Imaging method for the detection of:

  • Defects inherent in the module such as poor edge sealing,
  • Faulty contact fingers as well
  • Micro-cracks in the cells