<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div>Marcos,<br></div>What I have found in my tests using Flir is that it is helpful first step however it is generally inconclusive in dealing with the manufacturer. There is no substitute for an IV curve trace. If there is a problem with that module, then it will show up in an IV-Curve after cleaning it. One bad cell will cause a ripple in the IV curve and we can provide evidence that the module is out of its warranty spec. I use the Solmetric PVA-1000. It allows you to quickly do a pass no pass using the irradiance and cell temp sensors to calculate the expected output.<br><br></div>Good luck,<br></div>Taiyoko<br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Nov 22, 2015 at 8:30 AM, Dan Fink <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:danbob88@gmail.com" target="_blank">danbob88@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Bill, all: <div><br></div><div>My budget is limited. I went with the Seek Thermal camera ($250) that connects to my Android phone via micro USB, with an extension cable so I don't have to remove the phone from its Otterbox (unlike the FLIR One, which is a propriatary case you have to move an iPhone to). I think Seek has an iPhone version also.<div><br></div></div><div>Since I'm just looking for drastic *differences* in temperature, it works fine and paid for itself on the first job, finding a high-resistance battery terminal connection without dismantling the whole battery bank looking for green crud. I include thermal photos on every system maintenance report I do now.</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">Dan Fink</span><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">Adjunct Professor, Ecotech Institute</div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">IREC Certified Instructor™ for: </div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">~ PV Installation Professional</div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">~ Small Wind Installer</div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">Executive Director, Buckville Energy</div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">NABCEP Accredited Continuing Education Providers™<br><a href="tel:970.672.4342" value="+19706724342" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">970.672.4342</a></div><br> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Nov 22, 2015 at 5:21 AM, Bill Loesch <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:solar1online@charter.net" target="_blank">solar1online@charter.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"><span>
Hi Marco, boB, et al,<br>
<br>
Thermal imaging is so useful for so many diagnosis. How did you
choose the equipment you use without buying more than you use/need?
Satisfied with your current machine or would you recommend something
else?<br>
<br>
TIA,<br>
<pre cols="72">Bill Loesch
Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
<a href="tel:314%20631%201094" value="+13146311094" target="_blank">314 631 1094</a></pre>
<div>On 11/21/2015 11:48 PM,
<a href="mailto:boB@midnitesolar.com" target="_blank">boB@midnitesolar.com</a> wrote:<br>
</div>
</span><blockquote type="cite"><div><div>
<div><br>
I have looked at several modules (not SunPower though) and I see
this much temperature<br>
variation between cells BUT I have not seen anything like your
picture, with only one cell<br>
hotter. What I have seen is hotter and cooler cells more or
less spread out<br>
semi-randomly. Not sure if your example is normal or not for
Sun Power ?<br>
<br>
Here is one example from my library of FLIR pix.<br>
A thermal imaging camera sure sheds light<br>
on many different things !<br>
boB<br>
<br>
<img alt="" src="cid:part1.01060006.06080101@charter.net" height="240" width="320"><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 11/21/2015 9:31 PM, Marco Mangelsdorf wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Hello all,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I’m seeing hot spots on
some of the SunPower modules we installed circa
2007-2010. (I’ve been a SunPower dealer since 2005.)<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Sometimes theses cells are
20-30 degrees C hotter than the surrounding cells and it’s
especially striking while using a Flir IR camera. Check
out the two images below.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><img src="cid:part2.08040907.02010702@charter.net" alt="cid:image001.png@01D12070.CBCC60D0" height="254" width="339"></span><span><img src="cid:part3.04030902.08060602@charter.net" alt="cid:image002.png@01D12070.CBCC60D0" height="254" width="339"></span><span><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Do many of you come across
hot spotted mods? Anyone know of any papers out there on
hot spots and the hit on performance and reliability?<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Mahalo,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>marco<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div><font size="2"><b>Taiyoko Sadewic</b></font><br></div><div><font size="1"><i>Chief Financial Officer<br>Chief Technical Officer</i><br></font></div><b><span><span>POSITIVE ENERGY SOLAR</span></span></b></div>NABCEP Certified PV Installer<br></div>NABCEP Certified Technical Sales<br></div><br><a href="mailto:Taiyoko@PositiveEnergySolar.com" target="_blank">Taiyoko@PositiveEnergySolar.com</a><br></div><a href="http://www.PositiveEnergySolar.com" target="_blank">www.PositiveEnergySolar.com</a><br></div></div>
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