Thermo cameras allow us to see infrared and thermal energy that is always around us.
Visible Light It is like the tip of the Iceberg, with our eye we just see around 2.5% of the available out there.
We don’t perceive infrared (thermal energy) as they are no visible for our eye, as the spectrum that we eye can detect is very limited.
Infrared has about 30% of the available light spectrum, see image below:
In simple words, the main differences between visible Light and Thermo Energy:
- Our eye can see what is reflected from the surface.
- Thermo energy capture emissivity and reflections.
- Our eye can see through a glass.
- Thermo energy cannot pass through glass.
It is very important to understand that Thermo Images are just for Surfaces, It doesn’t penetrate the objects neither bodies.
Every surface has different emissivity, depending on their surfaces.
Shiny surcafes has high reflectivity and low emissivity
Dark (opaque) surfaces has low reflectivity by high Emissivity
In the picture below can be noticed that emissivity is affected by surface colors.
In the Solar Panel generations business, Thermo inspection has a great role.
The more energy the panel absorb, the more efficient it is.
According to statistical analysis from various thermo experts, performing regular Thermo inspections can help to reduce energy loss by 15%, due to Broken cells, dust, and dirt.
As a bonus, we have included the emissivity tables we use for our inspections: