Once a solar power plant is installed, the next aspect to be considered is operations and maintenance (O&M) management. It is a crucial aspect of any solar project since it mitigates the risks of unexpected costs and must never be overlooked. Efficient O&M ensures the generation of maximum power, while also providing a sizeable return on investment. No matter the scale of your photovoltaic (PV) module usage, you will always need an effective and efficient O&M solution. And you can do this by taking the SMART goals approach.
What is a SMART solar solution?
In management practices, SMART is an oft-used acronym for better guidance towards your set goals. SMART stands for:
- Specific: Making sure that your objectives are well-defined and clear.
- Measurable: Chosen criteria must be measurable to ensure the tracking of progress.
- Achievable: Keep your goals attainable. Impossible goals can lead to demoralization.
- Realistic: Keep your objectives realistic, relevant, and within reach.
- Timely: A clearly defined timeline is necessary along with target dates.
The SMART systematic approach towards making your goals clear and reachable will help reduce long-term O&M costs.
What are the steps to reduce unexpected costs?
- Preventative focus: In order to keep the equipment used in solar panels in top condition, it is necessary to conduct advanced analytics and condition monitoring testing. This reduces the possibility of any problems arising in the future, thus saving the time and money spent on remedial measures.
- Timely maintenance: Just as we abide by the user manual for maintaining other pieces of equipment, doing the same for solar solutions is always a good idea. Timely maintenance greatly reduces the possibility of errors and production loss. O&M providers like VEMC can offer planned maintenance schedules to maximise equipment performance and minimise downtimes.
- Spare management: Creating a detailed breakdown impact analysis of solar plant sites is necessary to prepare a priority matrix for spare management and better maintenance.
- Remedial maintenance: One of the main aspects of O&M is, of course, remedial maintenance. Any solar plant must have proper planning in place for repairs or replacement. This not only ensures immediate solutions but also helps avoid costly system failures.
- Safety: With the handling of large equipment comes the problem of ensuring the safety of everyone working around it. An experienced O&M provider will be equipped with skilled employees who perform their jobs with utmost care. They will also provide their maintenance personnel with the safety equipment needed to perform their jobs in a secure manner.
That said, it’s absolutely necessary to have an O&M plan in place for your solar plant to alleviate long-term costs. At VEMCO Solar, our valued clients are provided with customized plans to fit all their needs. VEMCO Solar offers end-to-end solutions and has empanelled channel partners with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, for solar PV rooftop, small power plant system integrators, and installation. Guided by the knowledge gained by VEMC over 72 years, our aim is to be by your side at every step of the way. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. Please feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445.