Using Mask R CNN to Isolate PV Panels from Background Object in Images

Identifying foreground objects in an image is one of the most common operations used in image processing. In this work, Mask R CNN algorithm is used to identify solar photovoltaic PV panels in aerial images and create a mask that can be used to remove the background from the images. This allows processing the PV panels separately. Using ML to solve this problem can generate more accurate results in comparison to more traditional image processing techniques like using edge detection or Gaussian filtering especially in images where the view might not be easily separable from the objects of interest. The trained model was found to be successful in detecting the PV panels and selecting the pixels that belong to them while ignoring the background pixels. This kind of work can be useful in collecting information about PV installation present in aerial or satellite imagery, or in analyzing the health and integrity of PV modules in large scale installations e.g., in a solar power plant. The results show that this method is effective with a high potential for improved results if the model is trained using larger and more diverse datasets. Muhammet Sait | Atilla Erguzen | Erdal Erdal "Using Mask R-CNN to Isolate PV Panels from Background Object in Images" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-1 , December 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd38173.pdf Paper URL : https://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/computer-engineering/38173/using-mask-rcnn-to-isolate-pv-panels-from-background-object-in-images/muhammet-sait