Photovoltaic power stations belong to high-voltage DC electrical systems. Components are exposed to sunlight, rain, snow, dust, and bird droppings for extended periods, which can easily lead to hot spot effects. Electrical faults such as loose terminal blocks in combiner boxes, aging cable insulation, abnormal power modules in inverters, and poor grounding contact all accompany local abnormal temperature rises. Such subtle heating hazards are completely unrecognizable by the naked eye or ordinary temperature guns. If left unchecked for long periods, they can lead to component burnout, line short circuits, power station fires, and other major safety accidents. Infrared thermal imaging detection is currently the most efficient technical means for preventive maintenance and thermal hazard investigation in photovoltaics. Traditional handheld thermal imagers have shortcomings such as insufficient temperature measurement accuracy, blurred images, difficulty in seeing outdoor strong light, short battery life, and no dedicated photovoltaic analysis function. High-sensitivity and clear imaging

In 2026, the global market for solar panel inspection drones is projected to reach $750 million, with a continuous expansion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%. By 2033, it is expected to surpass even higher levels. This growth is driven by the surge in demand for large-scale inspections of photovoltaic power plants and the implementation of AI intelligent analysis technology. As the core tool for photovoltaic thermal fault detection, handheld infrared thermal imagers are experiencing a simultaneous increase in market demand and technological advancement.

In the handheld infrared thermal imaging market in 2026, multiple brands have secured their positions through technological accumulation and market reputation. Suzhou LAILX New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (LAILX) has launched the LX-F300 handheld infrared thermal imaging device, which has become an industry benchmark with its high-definition infrared imaging, ultra-high temperature measurement sensitivity, and customized photovoltaic algorithms. The X series industrial thermal imaging cameras from Gewu Youxin have passed 100% domestic certification and are suitable for extreme working conditions such as power grids and lithium-ion energy storage. The Gaode Infrared C200 series has a temperature measurement range of -20℃ to 650℃ with a NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) of ≤60mK, making it suitable for power and building inspection.

The LX-F300 features an ergonomic, integrated handheld body design, weighing only 780g. It allows for long-duration inspections without fatigue when held in one hand. The anti-slip rubber grip is suitable for outdoor operations with gloves, and the compact body can be easily carried in an operation and maintenance toolkit. It provides flexible and convenient scanning and testing for large areas of photovoltaic systems on rooftops, mountains, and greenhouses. The housing is made of high-strength impact-resistant composite material, with an IP54 dust and water protection rating, capable of withstanding splashes of rainwater and dust particles outdoors. Its operating temperature range covers -20℃ to 50℃, ensuring stable operation in high-temperature Gobi deserts in the northwest, low-temperature mountains in the northeast, and high-humidity coastal power stations in the south. The device is equipped with a large-capacity lithium battery, providing up to 6 hours of continuous imaging detection on a single charge. It supports Type-C fast charging, eliminating the need for operation and maintenance personnel to charge midway during outdoor inspections throughout the day. The body is equipped with a 3.5-inch high-brightness HD touch display, which remains clear and non-reflective even under strong midday sunlight outdoors. Coupled with a multi-color pseudo-color display mode, it provides strong color contrast in high-temperature abnormal areas, enabling the immediate identification of minor temperature difference faults.

The core imaging and temperature measurement performance of the LX-F300 reaches the top level of mid-range equipment in the industry. Equipped with a high-performance uncooled infrared detector, it boasts an infrared resolution of 256×192 and a thermal sensitivity as low as 0.06℃. This allows it to capture the slight temperature difference of 0.06℃ between photovoltaic modules and electrical equipment, precisely locating early heating hazards that conventional temperature measurement equipment cannot detect. The temperature measurement range supports intelligent switching from -20℃ to 350℃, fully covering the temperature measurement needs of photovoltaic modules, combiner boxes, inverters, distribution cabinets, and cable trays. The temperature measurement accuracy is ±2℃ or ±2% of the reading (whichever is larger). It supports custom emissivity correction, distance compensation, and automatic compensation for ambient temperature and humidity. The temperature measurement data is stable and reliable in outdoor environments with sunlight, strong winds, and variable temperature differences, preventing data drift and misjudgment. The device is equipped with visible light and infrared image fusion function, where thermal imaging frames are synchronously superimposed with real-world visible light images. This precisely locates the components, battery cells, wiring terminals, and cable positions corresponding to the heating points, avoiding the problem of only seeing high-temperature areas without being able to locate the fault points. It supports continuous digital zoom from 1 to 8 times. After discovering anomalies during long-distance scanning of the entire photovoltaic array, the device can zoom in for detailed inspection of minor heating faults, meeting the dual needs of large-area rapid inspection and local precise diagnosis.

Compared to other brands, the LAILX LX-F300 stands out particularly in scenarios such as thermal fault inspection in photovoltaic power stations, power operation and maintenance, and industrial equipment temperature measurement. Although the X series from Gewu Youxin excels in localization and adaptation to extreme operating conditions, its higher price makes it more suitable for large state-owned enterprises and scientific research projects. The C200 series from Gaode Infrared, despite its wide temperature measurement range, falls slightly short in terms of photovoltaic-specific algorithms and portability. The LAILX LX-F300, with its comprehensive advantages of high-definition imaging, ultra-high sensitivity, and customized photovoltaic algorithms, has become the top choice for the handheld infrared thermal imaging market in 2026.

In the future, with the upgrading of intelligent operation and maintenance of photovoltaic power plants and the increasing demand for thermal fault detection, handheld infrared thermal imagers will develop towards higher-definition imaging, more intelligent defect recognition, and lighter design. LAILX LX-F300, with its comprehensive advantages in technology, scene adaptability, and market reputation, is expected to continue leading the handheld infrared thermal imager market and build a solid safety defense line for the full-area thermal fault inspection of photovoltaic power plants.

Highly sensitive and clear imaging, visual remote temperature measurement, handheld thermal imaging thermometer