Thermografie Hamburg: PV-Anlagen professionell prüfen

As Charged Elements GmbH we carry out thermographic inspections in Hamburg and the immediate surrounding area with short response times and local knowledge. This guide explains what thermography in Hamburg delivers, for which systems it is worthwhile, which standards apply and what it costs.

What is infrared thermography?

Infrared thermography is a non-contact inspection method that makes temperature differences in technical systems visible. A calibrated IR camera captures the heat radiation from surfaces and produces a thermogram that displays temperature differences in colour. Overheated areas – whether in a solar module, a connector or a distribution box – appear in the image as bright, warm regions and thus reveal defects invisible to the naked eye.

The method has two main application areas in technical maintenance: the Photovoltaik-Thermografie for inspection of solar systems and the Elektroanlagen-Thermografie for inspection of switchgear, distribution boards and electrical installations.

PV-Thermografie Hamburg

Thermographic PV inspection is our core business. With drone and IR hand camera we inspect every solar system in Hamburg – from the 10 kWp rooftop system of a Hamburg tradespeople's business to the multi-megawatt solar park in the metropolitan region.

Drone thermography captures every single module of the system during live operation. At the same time we capture the RGB image – for the exact assignment of every defect to its position on the roof. The subsequent hand thermography inspects inverters, DC junction boxes and connectors for overheating not visible during the drone flight.

Our report to IEC TS 62446-3 documents every finding geo-referenced with temperature data, classification and recommended action. It is usable for Hamburg PV insurers, for warranty claims against installers and as evidentiary documentation in court.

Elektroanlagen-Thermografie

In addition to PV thermography we carry out thermographic inspections of electrical systems to VdS 2858. This service is particularly relevant for Hamburg commercial and industrial businesses that need to have their main distribution boards, switchgear cabinets and cable trays regularly inspected.

Overheating in electrical installations is one of the most common causes of operational fires. Loose terminals, overloaded fuses and poor contacts create characteristic heat patterns that are immediately identifiable in the thermogram. Thermography is the only method that reliably identifies these defects during live operation – without shutting down the system.

Standards and norms

The following standards and guidelines apply to thermographic inspections in Hamburg:

Die IEC TS 62446-3 governs thermography of PV systems: measurement conditions, camera requirements, classification methods and report contents. The VdS 2858 is the guideline of the German insurance industry for electrical thermography – it defines what is required for insurance-compliant reports and is required by most PV insurers as a minimum standard. The DGUV Vorschrift 3 requires operators of commercial electrical systems to arrange regular inspection by qualified electricians.

Only reports that fully comply with both standards (IEC TS 62446-3 + VdS 2858) are fully usable for insurance settlements in Hamburg. Our reports meet this standard.

Hamburg's climate and PV characteristics

Hamburg has approximately 1,700 sunshine hours per year – fewer than southern German locations but significantly more than Denmark or England. More important than the sunshine hours is the high humidity: Hamburg experiences relative humidity of 75–85% year-round, which increases the risk of PID degradation and corrosion.

For thermography this means: Hamburg systems show PID patterns more frequently than systems in drier regions. We have aligned our inspection priorities to these regional characteristics and pay particular attention to PID-typical temperature patterns and corrosion-related connector defects in every Hamburg inspection.

Branchen in Hamburg

Hamburg is a diversified economic location with many different PV operator types. We regularly inspect: logistics companies with large flat-roof systems in Billbrook, Hammerbrook and at the port, retail and shopping centres (particularly in the Alstertal and Elbe shopping centre areas), port businesses and industrial facilities in Wilhelmsburg and Harburg, commercial courtyards and office buildings in Barmbek, Wandsbek and Altona as well as municipal facilities and schools that have installed PV systems as part of the Hamburg Climate Initiative.

Process and scheduling

After your enquiry via our contact form or by phone you receive a response within 24 hours. We check the suitability of your system for a thermographic inspection (required irradiance, accessibility, any drone restrictions in the Hamburg city area) and propose an appointment.

In the Hamburg city area and the immediate surrounding area we can usually carry out the on-site appointment within 5–7 working days. After the inspection you receive the complete report within 5 working days.

Kosten im Überblick

For systems within the Hamburg city area minimal to zero travel costs arise – our 15 km free zone covers many inner-city locations completely. Inspection prices depend on system size and package and are immediately calculable in the price calculator on the homepage kalkulierbar.

Frequently asked questions