Press Release: Above secures UK-Taiwan collaboration R&D funding to develop ground-breaking aerial electroluminescence inspection service in partnership with University of York and Taiwanese partners Dragonfly UAS and PV Guider
27/03/2024 – Above, the global leader in aerial inspection services and software in the utility scale solar industry, has been awarded UK-Taiwan collaborative research and development funding, provided by Innovate UK and the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) to create a game-changing new field solar module inspections service. Starting in March 2024, the 24-month Aerial Electroluminescence Inspections (AELI) project will create an aerial version of electroluminescence (EL) inspections that will be much faster and more affordable than the currently available ground-based EL approaches. EL inspections capture the luminescent light being emitted by PV modules as they are back powered to generate a very detailed image of the solar panel, akin to an X-ray. This will enable higher quality condition assessment and root cause diagnosis, at scale.
The AELI Project:
The AELI project will develop faster back powering equipment that can operate in conjunction with a drone carrying a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera. The resulting EL images will show more granular details of the modules than ever before. AELI will also develop image processing and analytical software, to identify cracks and anomalies quickly and easily. This will enable asset owners to carry out targeted and more efficient maintenance activities, module repairs or replacements. In addition, the EL images will be used to provide irrefutable evidence of problematic anomalies that, over time, may develop into more serious issues.
Image: Drone performing aerial electroluminescence inspection on solar plant while combiner box is opened for backpowering of module string.
The AELI Project Partners:
Taking the project lead, Above has teamed up with the University of York for their expertise in solar cell imaging and analysis, and solar farm electrical systems performance. Taiwanese project partner, Dragonfly UAS will create a drone EL solution to enable high resolution aerial image capture. Dragonfly’s subcontractor, PV Guider, will upgrade their backpowering system to decrease the time required to perform aerial EL inspection. The University of York will develop automated EL image analysis software, utilising artificial intelligence. Above will bring all the data together on its digital twin platform, SolarGain. This will enable the EL images and fault root-cause analysis to be recorded and displayed, and maintenance task lists to be created.
The need for aerial electroluminescence inspection:
By collecting high quality localised aerial EL images, the AELI project addresses the solar PV market’s need for data integrity and predictive analytics. It will drive demand for improved manufacturing, transportation, and installation processes. This will help increase maintenance efficiency and clean energy generation, contributing to the UK’s target to produce 100% of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035, and the global commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Above’s CEO Will Hitchcock said: “We’re excited to have secured funding for the AELI project. Making EL inspections more accessible to a wider market, and at a lower cost, will enable asset owners to better track module condition throughout the operational life. Much needed if we are to build longer lasting and sustainable solar plants. I’m confident that the project partners’ diverse expertise in aerial solar inspections, EL and image processing analysis, localised digital twin, and actionable reporting, will make AELI a success.”
Additional information
About Above
In 2016 Above pioneered the use of aerial inspection techniques in utility-scale solar and catalysed an industry. It then went on to introduce the concept of the digital twin to address the challenges of managing larger solar assets and portfolios. Above is now at the forefront of a digital revolution within the rapidly growing solar industry. For more information, please visit: https://www.abovesurveying.com/
About Dragonfly UAS
Dragonfly launched in 2015 with a mission to provide safe, affordable drone technology solutions to customers around the world. The company has the capability to integrate drone/AI/ 5G/ GIS/ Cloud and other related technologies. It is planning to develop more related services and products of visualized drone-based accurate big data and intelligent analysing management systems in multiple fields. For more information, please visit: https://www.dragonflyuas.com/
About PV Guider
PV Guider is a premier consortium of seasoned photovoltaic (PV) experts with extensive backgrounds in research and production. Specializing in PV module technologies, PVGuider offers expert guidance to resolve technical challenges for clients. Committed to innovation, PVGuider focuses on developing solar-related products. For more information, please visit: https://www.pvguider.com/
About University of York
Dr. Mahmoud Dhimish, an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of York, leads the Laboratory of Photovoltaics and serves as the engineering training lead in the CDT Sustainable Materials for Net Zero programme. With a remarkable track record in academia and industry, Dr. Dhimish spearheads ground-breaking research in solar energy. He will leverage advanced AI techniques for enhanced analysis of electroluminescence images for the AELI project. For more information, please visit: https://www.york.ac.uk/
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. They drive productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realize the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base. For more information, please visit: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/
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