This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by Angela Sabarese.
In a recent CLM Tech Talk, Britton Hager, consulting engineer, EDT Forensic Engineering & Consulting, offered valuable insights on microcracking in solar panels, describing these hidden defects as "invisible risks with big consequences." The technical overview provided valuable insight and guidance for professionals navigating the complexities of solar panel damage assessment and insurance claims.
Microcracks Explained
Hager explained that microcracks—fractures within the solar cells themselves—are invisible to the naked eye as they occur beneath the glass and encapsulant layers. "A microcrack is just within that solar cell...and we need to have some special technology that can help us figure this out," he noted.
EL Scanning to Detect Microcracks
The presentation detailed how electroluminescence (EL) scanning can detect these invisible defects. By feeding electrical current into panels at night, technicians can make them emit light—essentially running a solar panel in reverse like an LED. A specialized camera captures these emissions, revealing internal damage patterns.
A key theme throughout the presentation was the diagnostic power of EL scanning, particularly for insurance claims. Hager emphasized that determining causation is crucial: "Just because it has a microcrack inside of the panel, a lot of times as an insurance professional or a legal professional, what caused the microcrack is more important than [whether] it [has] the microcrack." The distinct patterns can differentiate between hail damage, manufacturing defects, or installation mishandling.
Hager also compared EL scanning with infrared drone scanning, noting that while infrared scanning is faster, it cannot detect microcracks before they develop into hotspots.
Advice for Investigators
The presentation concluded with practical advice for investigations: "It's important to understand what your scope of work is, what you're trying to solve, what the end goal is, and then work with your contractors, your consultants, the insured...to understand what tool needs to be applied to find what you're looking for."