[RE-wrenches] Thermal imaging

[Jason Szumlanski]

I've been considering this for solar thermal (pool heating) applications.
Any comments on how far away these can be effective? For example, what if I
am 30 feet away, trying to diagnose a flow rate issue through a large array
of panels? I would need to get far enough away to get the whole system in
the field of view. Would I be able to see hot spots where panels have no
flow of water?

Jason Szumlanski
 On Jun 12, 2013 11:14 AM, "Randy" <randy at positiveenergysolar.com> wrote:

> Andrew,****
>
> We purchased the Flir I7 based on Bill Brooks recommendations.  It has
> worked well. Plenty of battery life for doing large arrays****
>
> ** **
>
> We have evaluated over 400kW of arrays and we have found issues – we found
> modules that show hot cells. We learned the temperature impact of shading
> and dirt or bird poop on the module.  We discovered 7 modules at one 120kW
> site and when we did IV curves we found  only one module had reduced
> output. ****
>
> ** **
>
> See attached photo as an example.****
>
> Good luck.****
>
> Randy****
>
> ** **
>
> Randy Sadewic****
>
> Positive Energy****
>
>  ****
>
> Office: 505 424-1112****
>
> Cell:    505 570-0137****
>
> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
> re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Andrew Truitt
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 11, 2013 4:55 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Thermal imaging****
>
> ** **
>
> Wrenches - I am considering the purchase of a thermal imaging camera for
> PV system commissioning applications.  Prices seem to range from $1,000 to
> $10,000+.  Primary manufacturers seem to be Fluke and Flir, with Extech,
> Ideal and Milwaukee offering a few products as well.  It seems to me that
> the key factors to consider are temperature range, thermal sensitivity,
> screen resolution, screen size, battery life, type of image capture and
> price.  Does anyone have experience with using thermal imaging to identify
> temperature irregularities in modules and/or electrical equipment?  What
> temperature range, thermal sensitivity, and screen resolution is needed for
> both/either of these tasks?  What have been the key factors/specifications
> in terms of ergonomics and functionality?  Any preferences in terms of
> manufacturer?****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> For a brighter energy future,
>
>
> Andrew Truitt
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™ (ID# 032407-66)****
>
> Principal
> Truitt Renewable Energy Consulting, LLC****
>
> (202) 486-7507****
>
> LinkedIn Profile <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-truitt/8/622/713>****
>
> Company Website <http://truittreconsulting.weebly.com/>****
>
>
> [image: 24 copy.jpg]
>
> "Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion
> to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor
> safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could
> ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!"
>
> ~William McDonough****
>
> ** **
>
>
>
> ****
>
> ** **
>
>   ****
>
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