New Course Announcement: Identifying Issues on PV Systems Using Thermal Imagery

Solar systems of all scales have mushroomed in recent years. As any industry professional can tell you, this growth brings challenges. Chief among them is ensuring these systems operate safely while maintaining peak performance. Visual inspections only catch the most obvious problems, leaving many performance-robbing issues undetected.

That’s why thermal imaging technology has become a game-changing diagnostic tool. It reveals the oftentimes invisible problems lurking in PV systems.

Why Use Thermal Imaging in Solar O&M

Anyone can point a thermal camera at a solar array and find hot spots. The real skill lies in reading thermal signatures – knowing what a healthy PV system should look like versus recognizing the patterns that signal trouble. A skilled solar thermographer can identify:

• Failing diodes before they create safety hazards
• Inverter problems that gradually reduce system output
• Module-level issues that impact entire string performance
• Combiner box failures that could lead to dangerous arcing
• Microinverter and optimizer malfunctions that silently steal energy production

However, becoming truly proficient in solar thermal imaging requires mastery of three distinct knowledge areas:

1. Commercial Drone Operations: Understanding regulatory requirements, flight planning, and safe operations for aerial thermal surveys of large-scale installations.

2. Thermography Expertise: Mastering thermal imaging tools, camera settings, data collection processes, and most critically – distinguishing between true thermal anomalies and false readings caused by environmental factors like debris, shading, or normal operational variations.

3. Solar System Knowledge: Deep understanding of how PV systems function, from cell-level to system-wide electrical behavior, enabling accurate interpretation of thermal signatures.

Many excel in one or two of these areas, but the real value comes from integrating all three knowledge bases. This convergence is what separates basic thermal camera operators from true solar O&M experts.

Introducing Our Thermal Imaging Course

We’re excited to announce “Identifying Issues on PV Systems Using Thermal Imagery” – a focused course that moves beyond basic thermal camera operation to provide a practical methodology for professional-grade PV system inspections.

Meet Your Instructor

As a Certified Energy Auditor, Certified Energy Manager, and Certified Thermographer, Fred Brooks brings over 15 years of real-world PV operations and maintenance experience. He founded Pacific Panel Cleaners in 2009 – the first dedicated PV maintenance company in the Hawaiian Islands.

Since obtaining his thermal imaging certification in 2012, Fred has conducted thousands of thermal inspections across Hawaii’s diverse solar installations, from residential rooftops to large-scale commercial sites. His expertise comes from both solving problems and identifying them.

Bonus Interview: Scaling A Drone Program

The course also includes an interview with Lea Wong, Operations Specialist at Pacific Panel Cleaners, covering how to establish and scale a drone program for thermal inspections. This bonus section addresses regulatory compliance, safety protocols, and the operational workflows that make drone-based thermal imaging profitable and effective.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand systematic pre-inspection procedures including site walkthroughs, safety assessments, and equipment verification
• Identify critical PV component issues through proper thermal signature recognition
• Detect and assess thermal anomalies while distinguishing between safety concerns and normal variations
• Apply proper safety protocols throughout thermal inspections, including PPE requirements and electrical testing procedures
• Create effective inspection documentation with proper mapping, image capture, and technical data collection
• Understand drone program fundamentals for scaling thermal imaging services

Who Should Enroll

This course was created for PV professionals who want to add thermal imaging capabilities to their service offerings:

• O&M Technicians looking to enhance diagnostic capabilities
• System Installers who want to provide ongoing maintenance services
• PV Professionals expanding into inspection and maintenance
• Business Owners considering thermal imaging as a service line

Ready to Get Started?

Thermal imaging is becoming standard practice in professional PV maintenance. This course gives you the practical knowledge to start identifying real problems and building a thermal PV inspection service.

Fred’s field-tested approach will help you avoid the common mistakes that waste time and miss critical issues.

Enroll in Identifying Issues on PV Systems Using Thermal Imagery today!