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A novel approach to optimize the positioning and measurement parameters in photovoltaic aerial inspections

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  • Segovia Ramírez, Isaac
  • Pliego Marugán, Alberto
  • García Márquez, Fausto Pedro

Abstract

The maintenance of photovoltaic systems is critical to ensure the reliability of the solar power plants. The increasing extension of the plants requires novel data acquisition technologies to improve the maintenance efficiency. Unmanned aircraft vehicles equipped with thermographic cameras lead to the reduction of maintenance costs and operational risks. The main contribution of this paper is a novel approach for increasing the effectiveness of aerial inspections, ensuring the measurement of all panels with a required accuracy, reducing time and energy consumption. This methodology is based on the identification of the field of view and the point of interests for photovoltaic aerial inspections. An original optimizing model is developed to find the points of inspection. Particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithms are employed to obtain the waypoints and inspection routes. These algorithms provide good results for operation parameters, including height, view angles, waypoints and route optimization. The approach is proved and validated through a real solar plant inspection. The methodology has been demonstrated to be adequate for the case study, ensuring high-quality inspection with an optimised resource consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Segovia Ramírez, Isaac & Pliego Marugán, Alberto & García Márquez, Fausto Pedro, 2022. "A novel approach to optimize the positioning and measurement parameters in photovoltaic aerial inspections," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 371-389.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:187:y:2022:i:c:p:371-389
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.01.071
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gallardo-Saavedra, Sara & Hernández-Callejo, Luis & Duque-Perez, Oscar, 2018. "Technological review of the instrumentation used in aerial thermographic inspection of photovoltaic plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 566-579.
    2. Peinado Gonzalo, Alfredo & Pliego Marugán, Alberto & García Márquez, Fausto Pedro, 2020. "Survey of maintenance management for photovoltaic power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    3. Alberto Pliego Marugán & Fausto Pedro García Márquez & Benjamin Lev, 2017. "Optimal decision-making via binary decision diagrams for investments under a risky environment," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(18), pages 5271-5286, September.
    4. Sayed, A. & EL-Shimy, M. & El-Metwally, M. & Elshahed, M., 2020. "Impact of subsystems on the overall system availability for the large scale grid-connected photovoltaic systems," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    5. Rashiqa Abdul Salam & Khuram Pervez Amber & Naeem Iqbal Ratyal & Mehboob Alam & Naveed Akram & Carlos Quiterio Gómez Muñoz & Fausto Pedro García Márquez, 2020. "An Overview on Energy and Development of Energy Integration in Major South Asian Countries: The Building Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-37, November.
    6. Peinado Gonzalo, Alfredo & Pliego Marugán, Alberto & García Márquez, Fausto Pedro, 2019. "A review of the application performances of concentrated solar power systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    7. Dong Ho Lee & Jong Hwa Park, 2019. "Developing Inspection Methodology of Solar Energy Plants by Thermal Infrared Sensor on Board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Fausto Pedro García Márquez & Alberto Pliego Marugán & Jesús María Pinar Pérez & Stuart Hillmansen & Mayorkinos Papaelias, 2017. "Optimal Dynamic Analysis of Electrical/Electronic Components in Wind Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, July.
    9. Tsanakas, John A. & Ha, Long & Buerhop, Claudia, 2016. "Faults and infrared thermographic diagnosis in operating c-Si photovoltaic modules: A review of research and future challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 695-709.
    10. Fausto Pedro García Marquez & Carlos Quiterio Gómez Muñoz, 2020. "A New Approach for Fault Detection, Location and Diagnosis by Ultrasonic Testing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, March.
    11. Huerta Herraiz, Álvaro & Pliego Marugán, Alberto & García Márquez, Fausto Pedro, 2020. "Photovoltaic plant condition monitoring using thermal images analysis by convolutional neural network-based structure," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 334-348.
    12. García Márquez, Fausto Pedro & Tobias, Andrew Mark & Pinar Pérez, Jesús María & Papaelias, Mayorkinos, 2012. "Condition monitoring of wind turbines: Techniques and methods," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 169-178.
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