Solar module defects classification using deep convolutional neural network

Solar modules are essential components of a solar power plant, that are designed to withstand scorching heat, storms, strong winds, and other natural influences. However, continuous usage can cause defects in solar modules, preventing them from producing electrical energy optimally. This paper proposes the development of a deep learning-based system for identifying and classifying solar module surface defects in solar power plants. Module surface condition are classified into five categories: clean, dirt, burn, crack, and snail track. The dataset used consists of 8,370 images, including primary image data acquired directly from the mini solar power plant at the Renewable Energy Laboratory of PLN Institute of Technology, and secondary image data obtained from public repositories. The limitation in the number of images in each category was overcome using data augmentation techniques. The proposed classification model combines Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNN) with transfer learning models (DenseNet201, MobileNetV2, and EfficientNetB0) to perform supervised image classification. Training and testing results on the three models demonstrated that the combination of DCNN + DenseNet201 provided the best performance, with a classification accuracy of 97.85%, compared to 97.25% accuracy for DCNN + EfficientNetB0 and 94.98% for DCNN + MobileNetV2. This research shows that DCNN-based image classification reliably diagnoses solar module defects and supports using RGB images for surface defect classification. Applying the developed system to solar power plant maintenance management can help in accelerating the process of identifying panel defects, determining defect types, and performing panel maintenance or repairs, while ensuring optimal power production.