Autonomous polarimetric imaging for photovoltaic module inspection and methods thereof

A method for inspection of a photovoltaic module or cell, comprising:

• illuminating a photovoltaic module or cell;
• acquiring a first polarimetric image of the photovoltaic module or cell using a camera comprising a polarization sensor comprising a superpixel from a first location relative to a location of the photovoltaic module or cell;
• evaluating the first polarimetric image of the photovoltaic module or cell to determine if a defect is detectable in the first polarimetric image of the photovoltaic module or cell;
• acquiring a second polarimetric image of the photovoltaic module or cell using the camera from a second location relative to a location of the photovoltaic module or cell;
• analyzing the first polarimetric image and the second polarimetric image;
• and
• identifying the nature of a defect if determined as present in the photovoltaic module or cell;
• and wherein:
• the second location of the camera is within ±20 degrees of the first location of the camera.