Electroluminescence inspection system from Vitronic provides solar cell defect management

January 31, 2012
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Vitronic’s VINSPECsolar electroluminescence inspection system is designed to detect defects within solar cells that could influence electrical performance of the solar module. By using electroluminescence inspection, all defect areas are automatically detected, displayed and classified by relevant software before lamination, so that reworking can increase the module's efficiency. Archived electroluminescence images of the finished module also serve as proof of the delivered quality.

Problem

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In module production, cells, strings, matrices all the way to modules are subjected to mechanical and thermal stresses. Missing electrical connections or wrong wiring can also occur during soldering. In addition, the solar cells used could display quality deviations depending on where they were purchased.

Solution

The VINSPECsolar electroluminescence inspection system detects inactive areas, weak active cells, cracks effecting electrical performance, micro-cracks and grid line interruptions. The inspections can be conducted on the solar cell string and solar cell matrix before or after lamination as well as on the finished module. This makes it possible for the module manufacturer to intervene and implement improvements before lamination, thereby optimizing the module's performance. A classification of the modules, based on the electroluminescence inspection, takes place after lamination and the images are saved as proof of the quality.

Applications

Detecting inactive areas, weak active cells, cracks effecting electrical performance, micro-cracks and grid line interruptions.

Platform

The electroluminescence process involves stimulating the solar cell string or module with electricity. Special cameras require only about one second illumination time to capture the weak light emissions of the cell as an electroluminescent image. An automated image assessment, using specially-developed software methods (e.g. micro-crack detection) takes place in order to then displays the defect areas on a monitor. The image is displayed on monitors of e.g. 46'' in size and can also be made available to reworking stations. The frequency of the individual defect characteristics is recorded and evaluated using the integrated statistics function.

Availability

January 2012 onwards. 

Read Next

Premium
October 20, 2025
New data suggests the traditional assumptions behind hail stow modelling may be underestimating the likelihood of damage to a PV system.
October 20, 2025
Independent power producer (IPP) Atlas Renewable Energy has secured up to US$475 million in financing for a 357MW solar-plus-storage project in Chile.
October 20, 2025
New federal policies in the US will 'cloud' the country’s renewable energy sector, according to a webinar hosted by Wood Mackenzie.
October 20, 2025
Spain has amended its national common agricultural policy (PAC) framework to include agrivoltaic (agriPV) systems to be eligible for subsidies.
October 20, 2025
Details of tariffs on US imports of polysilicon products may be announced as early as the end of this month, according to a note from investment bank Roth Capital.
October 20, 2025
Bahrainian authorities are inviting initial proposals from developers to build a 100MW solar project in the country, due for commercial operation by September 2027.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK