Method and Apparatus for In Situ Solar Flat Panel Diagnostics

• US 20110109740A1
• Filed: 11/11/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Yves C., van Kessel, Theodore Gerard, Sandstrom, Robert L., Guha, Supratik
• Granted Patent: US 8,373,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0004 Industrial image inspection

Abstract

Techniques for analyzing performance of solar panels and/or cells are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing an infrared thermal image taken using an infrared camera is provided. The method includes the following steps. The infrared thermal image is converted to temperature data. Individual elements are isolated in the infrared thermal image. The temperature data for each isolated element is tabulated. A performance status of each isolated element is determined based on the tabulated temperature data. The individual elements can include solar panels and/or solar cells. In another aspect, an infrared diagnostic system is provided. The infrared diagnostic system includes an infrared camera which can be remotely positioned relative to one or more elements to be imaged; and a computer configured to receive thermal images from the infrared camera, via a communication link, and analyze the thermal images.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing an infrared thermal image taken using an infrared camera, comprising the steps of:

converting the infrared thermal image to temperature data;

isolating individual elements in the infrared thermal image;

tabulating the temperature data for each isolated element; and

determining a performance status of each isolated element based on the tabulated temperature data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual elements comprise solar panels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual elements comprise solar cells.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the isolating step further comprises the step of:

identifying rectangular regions of the infrared thermal image that correspond to the individual elements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tabulating step further comprises the step of:

determining a mean value of the temperature data for each of the isolated elements.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tabulating step further comprises the step of:

determining a median value of the temperature data for each of the isolated elements.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

generating a report of the performance status of each of the isolated elements.

8. An article of manufacture for analyzing an infrared thermal image taken using an infrared camera, comprising a machine-readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

converting the infrared thermal image to temperature data;

isolating individual elements in the infrared thermal image;

tabulating the temperature data for each isolated element; and

determining a performance status of each isolated element based on the tabulated temperature data.

9. An apparatus for analyzing an infrared thermal image taken using an infrared camera, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor device, coupled to the memory, operative to;

convert the infrared thermal image to temperature data;

isolate individual elements in the infrared thermal image;

tabulate the temperature data for each isolated element; and

determine a performance status of each isolated element based on the tabulated temperature data.

10. An infrared diagnostic system, comprising:

an infrared camera which can be remotely positioned relative to one or more elements to be imaged; and

a computer configured to receive thermal images from the infrared camera, via a communication link, and analyze the thermal images.

11. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein the elements to be imaged comprise solar panels.

12. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein the elements to be imaged comprise solar cells.

13. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein the infrared camera has a pixel resolution of at least about 240 pixels×

320 pixels.

14. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link.

15. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein the infrared camera has remotely controllable pan and tilt capabilities.

16. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein the infrared camera has remotely controllable lens adjustment capabilities.

17. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, further comprising:

a remotely controllable air ship to which the infrared camera is mounted.

18. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the infrared camera has remotely controllable pan and tilt capabilities and remotely controllable lens adjustment capabilities.

19. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 10, further comprising:

a remotely controllable ground vehicle to which the infrared camera is mounted.

20. The infrared diagnostic system of claim 19, wherein the infrared camera has remotely controllable pan and tilt capabilities and remotely controllable lens adjustment capabilities.