Small solar panel EL tester

The Small solar panel EL tester is a professional instrument based on the principle of electroluminescence (EL). Utilizing a high-precision imaging system, it enables non-contact, non-destructive, rapid imaging detection and intelligent analysis of various potential defects within solar cell modules that affect performance and reliability. These defects include micro-cracks, broken fingers, black core fragments, shattered cells, sintering defects, low-efficiency cells, shunt resistance issues, and process contamination. It is a key tool for ensuring module production quality and long-term reliability.

Product Features

• Core Technology: Electroluminescence Non-Destructive Imaging: Leverages the electroluminescence (EL) principle to image energized solar cell modules. Enables clear visualization of internal microstructures and defects without disassembly or contact, achieving non-destructive testing.

• High Efficiency & Precision: Automated Intelligent Recognition: Equipped with a high-sensitivity infrared camera and professional image processing software. Capable of automatically and rapidly scanning, capturing images, and intelligently identifying, locating, and classifying various complex defects (such as micro-cracks, fragments, broken fingers, poor soldering, black core fragments, etc.). Significantly enhances detection efficiency and accuracy, suitable for online or offline inspection.

• High-Resolution Imaging: Precise Defect Localization: Employs a high-resolution imaging system combined with a darkroom environment design. Ensures captured EL images possess exceptional clarity and contrast, clearly revealing micron-level cracks, fine broken fingers, and other subtle defects. Enables precise defect localization, providing a reliable basis for quality judgment.

• Comprehensive Quality Control: Improved Yield Rate: Covers the entire process from raw material acceptance, production process monitoring, finished product final inspection, to power plant operation and maintenance testing. It is a key device for ensuring the long-term reliability and power generation performance of solar modules. By detecting and eliminating defective products early, it effectively reduces production losses and improves product yield and quality.

Technical Specifications

Product Applications

• 1. Full-Process Quality Monitoring in PV Module Production: This device is a core quality inspection tool on the production line. It is applied at critical stages such as raw material (cell) incoming inspection, post-soldering/layup process, pre/post-lamination encapsulation, and final finished product inspection. By detecting internal defects in real-time and non-destructively, it strictly controls quality at each stage, preventing defective products from flowing into the next process or reaching customers, significantly improving production yield and product reliability.

• 2. PV Power Plant Component Receiving Inspection & Installation Quality Check: During PV power plant construction, used for batch sampling or full inspection of incoming solar modules to verify if internal damage like micro-cracks occurred during transportation and handling. It can also be used for re-inspection after modules are installed on racks (installation stress testing) to ensure the installation process caused no damage. This lays a quality foundation for the plant's long-term stable operation, avoiding power generation loss or safety hazards due to hidden defects.

• 3. PV Power Plant O&M Fault Diagnosis & Performance Assessment: As a vital diagnostic tool for plant operation and maintenance, used for regular inspections or troubleshooting. When abnormal performance degradation (e.g., hot spots) is detected, EL testing can quickly and visually locate internal defects (such as severe micro-cracks, shattered cells, PID effect, cell failure, soldering failure, etc.), accurately determining the cause and severity of the fault to guide repair or replacement decisions, maximizing plant power generation revenue and asset value.

• 4. R&D & Process Improvement Support: In PV module and cell R&D labs and process improvement departments, the EL detector is a key device for evaluating the reliability of new materials, structures, and processes (e.g., novel cell technologies, different soldering/encapsulation processes). By comparatively analyzing EL images of modules under different conditions, it facilitates in-depth research on defect generation mechanisms, distribution patterns, and their impact on performance, providing strong data support for continuously improving module design, optimizing manufacturing processes, and enhancing product lifespan.

Precautions

• 1. Strict Electrical Safety Operation: The device involves applying current to the module to make it luminesce. Strict adherence to electrical safety regulations is mandatory. Operators must wear insulated gloves, ensure correct and secure wiring of the module under test to avoid short circuits or electric shock risks. Always disconnect the power supply first after testing before proceeding with subsequent operations (e.g., moving the module). Testing is strictly prohibited in humid environments or if the module has visible damage.

• 2. Ensure Darkroom Environment Light-Tightness: EL imaging is extremely sensitive to ambient light. Testing must be conducted in a completely light-tight darkroom or dark box. Before testing, carefully check the sealing of the darkroom door, observation window, cable entry points, etc., to eliminate any external light sources (including indicator lights, screen glow, etc.). Failure to do so will severely affect image quality, leading to missed defects or misjudgment.

• 3. Standardized Operation & Equipment Protection: Handle the module under test gently during placement to avoid causing new micro-cracks or damage. Exercise extreme caution when operating the high-sensitivity infrared camera to prevent lens impacts. Operate strictly according to the device manual to avoid overload or incorrect parameter settings (e.g., current level, exposure time). Keep the equipment clean, especially the camera lens and loading platform.

• 4. Thorough Pre-Test Preparation: Ensure the module under test is at room temperature (avoid excessively high or low temperatures affecting luminescence characteristics). Check that the module surface is clean, dry, and free of large stains or water droplets that could obscure the view. Precisely set test parameters (e.g., applied current value, voltage range) based on the module specifications (power, current characteristics). Improper parameters may cause image overexposure, underexposure, or failure to effectively excite defects.

• 5. Emphasize Image Interpretation & Software Maintenance: Interpreting EL images requires professional knowledge and experience. Operators must be trained to recognize the characteristic manifestations of different defects (e.g., patterns of micro-cracks, shapes of black cores, linear features of broken fingers) and to distinguish real defects from image artifacts (e.g., noise, interference fringes). Regularly calibrate the equipment and update the image analysis software to ensure detection algorithms and defect recognition libraries remain current, improving judgment accuracy.

• 6. Regular Maintenance & Professional Servicing: Establish and implement a regular equipment maintenance schedule. This includes cleaning optical components (lenses, filters), checking electrical connection reliability, and calibrating light sources and camera parameters. For in-depth maintenance or repair of critical components (e.g., infrared camera, power modules), engage the equipment supplier or professional technicians to avoid damage or performance degradation from self-disassembly.