How to make the right inspection decisions for solar assets: from the factory to the field

Wednesday, 4. February 2026
9:00 am - 10:00 am EST, New York City | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm CET, Berlin, Paris, Madrid | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm GST, Dubai

Learn how and when to deploy electroluminescence (EL) testing effectively, why linking field and factory inspection data is critical, how AI tools can be used to detect and highlight quality issues, and more. Experts from Intertek CEA and AePVI will explore how developers, EPCS and investors can implement a testing and inspection program that is tailored to the specific needs of their PV plant.

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Presentation

Each PV plant has its own specific needs and in this pv magazine Webinar, we’ll learn how to choose the right inspection method for the job.

Jörg Althaus of Intertek CEA and Andreas Fladung of AePVI will explore how modern inspection technologies and strategies, including advanced EL testing and AI-powered analytics, are helping bridge the gap between manufacturing quality control and real-world field performance.

Attendees will learn the questions developers, EPCs and investors should be asking before deploying EL testing and other inspection methods at their PV plant.

The interactive discussion will also explore why visibility of module quality is frequently lost after shipment, how inspection strategies are evolving across commissioning and operations, and how to align inspection methods with actual business risk. Our experts will discuss practical lessons from the field and how asset owners, developers, and EPCs can think more strategically about long-term asset value.

Webinar content

Selecting the right inspection method
Use cases for EL inspection
Factory vs. Field EL: why comparison matters
When to use a drone
AI-based defect detection
Common market misconceptions
Real-world case studies
Q&A

What you’ll learn

The right questions to ask before commissioning an inspection
Practical frameworks for inspections
What different technologies can (and can’t) detect
How a factory-to-field approach can improve quality assurance
How to generate inspection data that stands up to external scrutiny

Questions can be submitted beforehand in the comments window when registering or in the chat during the live webinar.

The webinar will be moderated by Matthew Lynas, editor at pv magazine.

Registration for this webinar is free of charge.

Speakers

Jörg Althaus | Director, Engineering Services and QA Services, Intertek CEA

Jörg Althaus is a seasoned solar industry professional with over 25 years of experience specializing in PV asset quality, reliability, and technical risk mitigation. As Director of Quality Assurance and Engineering Services (EU) at Intertek CEA, he leads global quality assurance initiatives and oversees engineering services across Europe. Mr. Althaus began his solar career as a test engineer at TÜV Rheinland's Photovoltaic Laboratory in Cologne, Germany, where he spent 21 years advancing to international management roles. He led TÜV Rheinland's solar and energy storage expert teams across Germany, India, the Middle East, and Africa, establishing himself as a key technical authority in the field. An active contributor to international standardization efforts, Mr. Althaus has served as project leader for multiple standards within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee 82, focusing on PV module testing. He has also acted as a technical auditor for the CB scheme within IECEE, auditing PV laboratories worldwide. Currently, he is an active member of SolarPower Europe and the Solar Stewardship Initiative, contributing to various industry work streams. Mr. Althaus has published extensively in leading industry publications including PV Magazine and Photon, and has presented research and development findings at major international conferences such as the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC). He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and is based in Cologne, Germany. His commitment to the solar industry stems from an early passion for contributing to the global transition to carbon-free energy sources—a dedication that has shaped his entire career trajectory.

Andreas Fladung | Managing Director, Aerial PV Inspection

Andreas Fladung, Managing Director of Aerial PV Inspection GmbH since October 2017, is a trained electrical engineer (energy system electronics technician, 1987) and has studied electrical engineering (FH Aachen). He has worked in the PV industry since 1990 including project planning, PV system installations and management. In 2005, he founded Fladung Solartechnik GmbH, which offers consulting, planning, installation and service for PV systems. This was followed by further certifications and training in the field of photovoltaics, such as thermographer (Level2), expert for photovoltaics (TÜVcert) and multicopter pilot. His activities over the last 15 years have focussed in particular on the inspection and assessment of PV systems of all sizes using photographic images, thermography, electrical, UV fluorescence and electroluminescence measurements. Since Aerial PV Inspection GmbH was founded in 2017, he has been responsible for hardware development, measurement operations and sales as Managing Director.

Moderators

Matthew Lynas | Editor, pv magazine

Matthew Lynas joined pv magazine as features editor in 2023. An experienced business-to-business journalist, Matthew is responsible for features in our monthly global print title. Previously, he served as editor of a leading UK retail magazine, covering a broad range of issues including sustainability projects in the grocery and FMCG sectors.