Thermal imaging — find what eyes miss.

Microcracks in solar cells are invisible to a visual inspection but show up clearly on thermal imaging — they run hotter than the surrounding cells when the panel is operating. Network specialists carry FLIR or equivalent thermal cameras and scan every panel during the audit. Finds microcracks early enough to warranty-claim or replace before they cascade into broader cell failure. Standalone $189; included in the annual inspection package.

TYPICAL COST

$189 (standalone)

DURATION

60 – 90 minutes

What microcracks look like

A microcrack is a hairline fracture in the silicon wafer of a solar cell — invisible from above the panel glass. They form during shipping, installation, hail strikes, or thermal cycling over years. A single microcrack reduces that cell's output by 5–15%; cascade failures from one cracked cell can reduce a panel's output by 30%+.

Thermal imaging during operation shows microcracks because the damaged cell's resistance is higher — it runs 2–10°C hotter than its neighbors.

When this audit matters

System is 5+ years old and production has slowly declined beyond normal annual degradation
Recent hail storm or major wind event (panels can take impacts that don't break glass but crack cells)
Original installer warranty is expiring and you want to file claims for any damaged panels before it lapses
Pre-listing for a home sale — proactive documentation
Cleaning hasn't fully restored production — confirms whether the issue is dirt or damage

What the audit includes

Thermal scan of every panel from both sides where accessible
Annotated thermal images of each panel with hot-spot detection
Written report identifying any cells with measurable thermal anomalies
Recommendation: monitor, warranty-claim, or replace
Coordination with original installer if warranty claim is recommended

Many solar warranties degrade slowly — the time to claim is now, not later. Manufacturer warranties typically have a 10-year workmanship clause and 25-year power output clause. Finding microcracks during the workmanship window means a free panel replacement. Waiting and finding the same cracks at year 12 means a partial-credit claim against power-output warranty.