The Problem with Solar Loading
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Tip written by: Infraspection Institute
Everyone who has performed infrared inspections outdoors on sunny days is familiar with the problem of solar reflections. Compensating for solar reflections is usually accomplished by repositioning the thermal imager to change the viewing angle to eliminate the reflection. For objects exposed to strong sunlight, a more insidious problem can occur in the form of solar loading.
The concept of solar loading is familiar to everyone: objects exposed to the Sun will heat up. In general, dark colored objects absorb the most solar energy and heat faster than light colored objects. If an object absorbs enough heat from the Sun, significant thermal anomalies may be hidden and go undetected.
As there is no way to compensate or correct for solar loading, the most prudent course of action is avoidance. Solar loading can be avoided by imaging on cloudy days, at night, or early in the morning. Solar loading can also be overcome by shading an exposed target and waiting for the object’s temperature to return to normal.
Identifying and overcoming environmental error sources such as solar loading is one of the many topics covered in depth within the Infraspection Institute Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course. For more information on course dates or to register for a course, call 609-239-4788 or visit Infraspection Institute online.
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