Discover Solar Panel Damage You Can’t See—At the Cell Level

When severe weather impacts solar projects in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the most serious damage is often hidden from plain sight. Microcracks, cell failures, and internal defects can reduce energy output, accelerate degradation, and complicate insurance claims—all without leaving visible signs.

Wolf River Electric specializes in advanced Electroluminescence (EL) and Photoluminescence (PL) inspection services, helping solar asset owners, developers, and insurance companies accurately assess damage, guide replacement or repair decisions, and maximize solar performance.

Why EL and PL Inspection Matter for Solar Projects in the Midwest

In the Midwest, severe weather events—like hailstorms, strong winds, and debris impacts—are common, especially in areas such as Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa. These conditions often cause invisible microcracking or cell degradation that:

• Cannot be detected by standard visual inspections
• Is not evident in basic performance data
• Worsens over time, reducing energy efficiency and posing safety risks

Industry reports reveal that hail-related damages alone have amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars in solar project insurance claims. Whether you’re a solar farm owner in Wisconsin, an insurance adjuster in South Dakota, or an operations manager in Iowa, understanding your solar system’s condition is crucial for maintaining high-value assets.

EL testing provides critical insights by identifying:

• Where cell-level damage exists
• What type of damage has occurred
• The likely cause of damage (e.g., weather, manufacturing flaws, or improper handling)

With this precise level of analysis, solar project operators can mitigate risks, optimize warranty decisions, and ensure long-term performance.

What Is Electroluminescence (EL) Testing?

Electroluminescence testing is a cutting-edge, non-destructive solar inspection method that works like an “X-ray for solar cells.” This technology is essential for identifying internal issues in photovoltaic panels without causing damage.

Using field equipment, our team at Wolf River Electric performs EL imaging inspections to detect hidden cell defects. The process includes:

• Applying controlled electrical currents to solar module strings
• Capturing high-resolution images with short-wave infrared (SWIR) cameras
• Analyzing electroluminescent emission patterns to detect microcracks, degradation, and other issues

Why is EL inspection important?

Healthy cells emit uniform light during EL imaging, while cracked or damaged cells appear as dark spots or fracture patterns. This provides unparalleled insights into the health of solar modules, allowing our clients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota to take proactive measures.

What Is Photoluminescence (PL) Testing?

Photoluminescence testing (PL) complements EL inspection technology by using light-induced emissions to reveal manufacturing issues, micro-level contamination, and performance variations in solar wafers.

Together, EL-PL inspection systems provide a comprehensive analysis of solar panel health, enabling highly reliable defect identification and risk management for your solar investments.

Types of Issues EL and PL Testing Can Detect

Both EL imaging inspection and PL imaging inspection are effective for identifying various defects, including those caused by extreme weather, manufacturing flaws, improper handling, and age-related degradation. Key issues we detect include:

Weather-Related Damage (Hail, Impact, Storms)

• X-shaped or “crow’s feet” cracks caused by rear-shell impacts
• Microcracks due to hail—even when glass remains intact
• Localized shattering that might not yet visibly reduce power output

Manufacturing Defects

• Dark regions or V-shaped cracks caused by soldering issues
• Processing contamination visible as repeated patterns across cells

Installation & Handling Damage

• Cracks from improper installation, module flexing, or rough handling
• Rear-panel damage caused by dragging modules or impacting connectors

Performance Degradation & Aging

• Stress points predicting future power loss
• Non-uniformities across module strings indicating systemic issues

For solar systems in hail-prone areas such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota, early detection of these problems is essential to avoid further production losses.

EL vs PL Inspection: What’s the Difference?

Many solar operators ask, “What is the difference between EL and PL inspection?” Simply put:

• EL Inspection focuses on detecting electrical and mechanical defects using current-induced imaging.
• PL Inspection highlights defects using luminescent light emission triggered by external excitation.
• Both technologies are invaluable for non-destructive testing of solar cells, especially for photovoltaic projects.

How EL/PL Solar Inspections Benefit Solar Operators

If you’re managing solar assets in the Midwest, EL and PL inspections offer numerous benefits:

• Non-Destructive Testing: Assess damage without disassembling panels.
• Improved Performance: Identify and address early-stage cell failures.
• Insurance Claims Support: Provide clear evidence for weather-related damages.
• Warranty Optimization: Detect manufacturing defects within warranty periods.
• Solar O&M Enhancements: Optimize operations and maintenance strategies.

Why Wolf River Electric Is the EL/PL Inspection Expert for the Midwest

Wolf River Electric is proud to offer electroluminescence and photoluminescence testing services across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Our team utilizes state-of-the-art EL PL inspection systems to deliver precise assessments for solar farms, commercial installations, and residential projects.

Contact Us: Protect Solar Investments in MN, WI, IA, ND, and SD

If your solar project has suffered storm damage, shown signs of underperformance, or is approaching a critical financial milestone, let our EL and PL inspection experts at Wolf River Electric help you uncover the invisible—reach out today to discuss your project location and system size, recent performance issues or weather events, and insurance, warranty, or operational goals, and we’ll customize an inspection plan tailored to your needs and budget so you can make informed decisions based on precise data while partnering with Wolf River Electric for the industry’s most trusted solar testing solutions.