Systems and methods for estimating electric parameters of solar modules of a solar array

A system for monitoring a solar array, the solar array comprising a first set of solar modules and a second set of solar modules, the system comprising:

• at least one first thermal sensor for measuring first thermal data of each solar module of the first set of solar modules that includes at least one of temperature data and infrared data;
• at least one data acquisition unit for measuring power data of each solar module of the first set of solar modules;
• at least one second thermal sensor for measuring second thermal data of each solar module of the second set of solar modules that includes at least one of temperature data and infrared data;
• and
• a processor for calculating at least one adjustable parameter based on the first thermal data and the power data, wherein the processor utilizes the at least one adjustable parameter and the second thermal data to estimate at least one electric parameter of each of the solar modules of the second set of solar modules.

A method for monitoring a solar array, the solar array comprising a first set of solar modules and a second set of solar modules, the method comprising:

• receiving first thermal data of each solar module of the first set of solar modules that includes at least one of temperature data and infrared data;
• receiving power data of each of the solar modules of the first set of solar modules, wherein the power data is obtained with at least one data acquisition unit in electrical communication with the first set of solar modules, the power data including at least one of voltage data, current data and electrical power output data;
• determining, based on the first thermal data and the power data, a value of at least one adjustable parameter;
• receiving second thermal data of each of the solar modules of the second set of solar modules that includes at least one of temperature data and infrared data;
• and
• determining, based on the value of the at least one adjustable parameter and the second thermal data, an estimate of at least one electric parameter of each of the solar modules of the second set of solar modules.

A computer readable medium containing program instructions for converting thermal data of a solar module into an estimate of electrical power produced therefrom, said instructions causing a computer to perform the steps of:

• receiving thermal data of the solar module, said thermal data comprising information about a temperature of the solar module;
• receiving environmental data comprising information about a temperature of an environment in which the solar module is immersed;
• and
• determining, based on a) the temperature of the solar module and b) the temperature of the environment, an estimate of the electromotive power produced by the solar module.