Image: Above
The company has partnered the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) at Loughborough University to develop its thermographic inspections of utility-scale solar farms.
The project’s focus is on enhancing thermographic inspections to investigate the correlation between identified faults and power loss within PV modules. It’s hoped that greater knowledge on the impact of module defects on overall plant yield will lead to better fault diagnosis and quicker response time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning will be used to further automate the post-processing of large data volumes and deliver accurate power loss estimations to the SolarGain Inspection Hub, Above’s core software service.
This is not the first partnership with a UK university Above has undertaken, having launched a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Essex for developing its use of AI. Previously, it worked with the University of Essex to boost the use of its drones, which it uses to identify faults.
Will Hitchcock, CEO of Above, said: “Having previously collaborated on a project to develop an anti-soiling coating for solar cover glass, we are highly aware of the level of expertise available within the CREST team.
“We look forward to breaking new ground with this latest project and developing a valuable service to offer the solar industry.”