Using a digital microscope camera ProgRes® MFcool in photovoltaics / solar cell inspection

The main aim of the application

inspection of solar cells / solar modules in order to improve the quality of manufacturing

The requirements to the microscope camera

• cooling system
• good image quality
• reliable service & support
• SDK support

The workstation & environment

solar cell / electro luminescence inspection system

The advantages

• the ProgRes® MFcool grants very low noise due to
  the active peltier-cooling
• the adequate price-performance-ratio is a
  clear advantage
• solid and stable operating, low breakdown rate

The description of the application

Traditionally, Solar modules are guaranteed for 25 years of 80% power output. However, the quality of solar modules are not stable since the microcrack or broken defect is not visible. Using Electroluminescence method could effectively pick up the different damage of solar panels to improve the quality of solar modules manufacturing. Here are the steps carried out. Silicon based solar cell will emit near infrared light by providing proper current to exciting the band gap. With ProgRes® MF/MFcool camera, you can get very good quality of NIR imaging. The selectable cooling device will reduce thermal noise and electronic noise when doing long exposure time imaging. Furthermore, ProgRes® MF/MFcool camera can be integrated in Solar module/cell inspect system for micro crack defect, broken defect and local inefficiency. The inspection method is satisfactory for the demand of fast detection and cost requirement.

Special features / tricks / hints

To get a good NIR image for solar electro luminescence inspection, it is better to set exposure time over 3s.