A Chinese research team has developed a novel panel surface temperature retrieval model using moderate-resolution thermal infrared satellite imagery to accurately estimate the surface temperature of photovoltaic panels in utility-scale solar farms. The method accounts for the three-dimensional structure of PV arrays, changes in panel area with viewing angle, and the low emissivity of PV panels. By separating PV modules from inter-row gaps within each satellite pixel, the researchers were able to isolate the radiative signal attributable to the PV modules, resulting in a more accurate retrieval of panel surface temperature. Improvements in satellite-derived thermal data accuracy have led to a 3-5% decrease in bias in photovoltaic (PV) power simulation, with a focus on understanding and incorporating shaded gaps between rows of panels. The new approach was presented in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation by scientists from various institutions in China.