Sensor placement optimization in on-site photovoltaic module inspection robot for fast and robust failure detection

A robotic crawler for on-site inspection of disconnection failure of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module was prototyped and tested in actual PV array. Magnetic flux sensors that traced the interconnector lines of the PV module successfully detected disconnection failures. Based on the inspection result by manual inspection, robotic inspection achieved failure predictive value of 90%; however, the test revealed issues such as inspection errors due to line tracing errors of the sensor in the robot. Optimal sensor placement in the robot was investigated aiming for more robust disconnection failure detection.