A mobile lab tests modules across 280 MWp of Indian plants
Mahindra Susten, reported by PV Tech · Plants in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra
The situation
Mahindra Susten launched a mobile PV testing lab in 2017 so modules could be tested at the plant instead of being shipped to a laboratory.
Background
Shipping modules to a lab is slow, costly and can itself damage them. A lab on wheels brings flash testing, EL and thermal imaging to the plant.
What was tested, and how that method works
After a visual inspection, 10 modules were chosen at each site for flash testing, EL testing and thermal imaging. The sites covered 280 MWp, with projects from 1 MW to 80 MWp.
A small, well-chosen sample at each site is tested three ways: a flash test for power, an EL image for cell damage and a thermal image for heat. The three views are then read together.
Our service: IV curve tracing →What was found
- Results were compiled in a PV Tech technical briefing. We do not repeat the figures here.
How it unfolded
Outcome
The lab was meant to support warranty and insurance claims on delivery, claims against installers during construction, and replacement of weak modules during operation.
Lessons for a plant owner
- Testing a small, well-chosen sample at each site is a practical way to judge module health.
- Bringing instruments to the plant saves time and avoids shipping damage.
- Testing is useful at three stages: delivery, construction and operation.
Questions to ask about your own plant
- When were modules last sampled and tested?
- Do we have delivery-stage test data for our batch?
- Which stage of our plant's life are we in, and what test fits it?
How we would approach a similar site
We would choose sample strings and modules with the owner, test them on site, and report measured values against expected values.
Published in 2017. Method summary only. Source: PV Tech and EPR Magazine. Summarised in our own words.