Individual measurement of PV-modules in a mobile laboratory

^{Created by M.L., OST, on 19.03.2025}

• Description: Detailed measurements of individual PV modules, typically in a mobile laboratory.
• Equipment: Mobile laboratory, typically including: I-V curve measurement, EL, IR imaging, insulation testing.
• Requirements: Road access to the site, electricity access 230V/10A or a generator.
• Gained insights: As described in the sections I-V curve measurement, EL, and IR imaging (e.g. active and inactive cell breaks, power degradation, insulation failure, hot spots), additionally insulation failures at module level.
• Advantages: Precise and detailed analysis.
• Disadvantages: Need to dismount PV modules. Limited road access to PV installations in remote alpine regions.
• Effort:
  • Global: high.
  • Costs: high, CHF 3’200 per day.
  • Time: very high.
• Providers (non-exhaustive list):
  • SPF Institut für Solartechnik: www.pv-lab.ch
  • MBJ: https://www.mbj-solutions.com/en/products/equipment/mobile-lab
  • TÜV Rheinland: https://www.tuv.com/world/en/pv-travel-lab.html
  • Intertek: https://www.intertek.com/solar/mobile/
• Links:
  • List of Swiss PV laboratories: https://pv.energyresearch.ch/index.php?ID=2000&l=en
• Additional notes: Another option would be to ship the modules to a laboratory, for even more in-depth analysis.

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