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O&M Issues in PV Solar Energy

by vemcoblogs -
Solar PV Operations and Maintenance

Solar power systems have a life-span of 20-25 years which makes their Operations and Maintenance (O&M) very important. This is to maximise energy production and minimise maintenance costs over the lifetime of the system. Maintenance is a continuous process which not only reduces the risks and costs associated with sudden breakdowns, but also keeps the system at prime efficiency levels. Fortunately, solar systems have lower maintenance and servicing requirements as compared to other energy generating technologies. In this blog, we’ll take you through some of the common O&M issues of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems and the approach to deal with them.

Natural Degradation

All solar cells degrade naturally, regardless of the environment they are installed in. However, the rate of degradation depends on the material of the PV panels. For instance, monocrystalline silicon panels have the lowest rate of degradation while copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) panels have one of the highest. Since the material directly affects the cost of the panels, choosing the type of panels is essentially a planning, budgeting and investment decision.

Lightning Protection

Lightning strikes can damage the solar power system by causing a power surge within the array. It is important to have a grounding system in place to redirect the energy from the lightning, away from the panels and into the ground. While the mounting system of the panels itself plays the role of grounding it, the material of the mounting system must be chosen carefully. This also depends on the type of foundation of the system. Besides having a robust grounding system in place, it is advisable to install surge protection equipment for backup safety.

Failure of Components

Cracking of panels and their visual discolouration can affect the efficiency of the panels. Both of these are irreversible damages. High temperatures can damage the solar panels by producing hotspots on them. Inverter downtime is another common issue with PV solar systems and their scheduled maintenance is a critical part of a solar O&M strategy. For static solar panels, ideal panel orientation is necessary to get the highest output. In case of tracking systems, it is important to regularly check the moving parts like gearboxes, motors, and actuators.

Weather Conditions

The environment impacts the durability of PV systems and adequate measures must be taken to offset its effect. For instance, regular cleaning and wiping may be required in windy or arid areas while sloping solar panels can avoid an accumulation of snow in cold regions. In the case of hailstorms, protective covers could be useful to prevent damage to the panels.

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 (Check out our story) 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.

How Solar Operation and Maintenance Can Optimize Your System Performance

by vemcoblogs -

As solar plants get older, they need operation and maintenance to maximize output. It not only enhances the lifespan of the solar plant but also deals with failures and defects. Solar system owners are increasingly concerned about the longevity of their systems and are paying attention to the critical role of operation and maintenance. The frequency and degree of maintenance of solar systems depend upon the installation type, system configuration and location of the setup. 

Here’s how solar operation and maintenance services can increase the performance of your solar power system.

  1. Performance monitoring: It is important that your solar power system works at its peak efficiency and maintains high output levels at all times. To gauge the performance of the system, continuous real-time monitoring is needed. The foremost task involves establishing a performance baseline against which various parameters are continuously compared, followed by steps to mitigate deviations. This helps to keep any shortfall in performance under check and subsequently plan the necessary corrective action.
  1. Preventive maintenance:  To avoid direct and indirect costs related to sudden system breakdown, a timely inspection of components and devices is necessary. Cables, inverter, combiner boxes, photovoltaic panels and remote monitoring devices must be in good working condition. Preventive maintenance includes, but is not limited to, adjustments, cleaning, lubrication, repairs and replacements. Timely preventive checks and actions help the system maintain top levels of performance and also anticipate any possibility of a breakdown.
  1. Corrective maintenance: Despite all the efforts at performance monitoring and preventive maintenance, a system breakdown could be encountered. For situations like these, a comprehensive plan of action has to be ready. Corrective maintenance involves activities performed in order to restore a PV plant system, equipment or component to its original working condition. These include reporting, diagnosing, troubleshooting and providing repair or replacement to restore the system to fully operational status. In some cases, involving a Defect Liability Period (DLP), backup parts may be needed to keep the system running while the equipment is sent back to the vendor for a warranty claim. Although a certain amount of corrective maintenance will be required at some point during the long lifespan of a solar power system, it can be lessened through proactive preventive maintenance and performance monitoring, thus calling for a holistic approach towards operation and maintenance.

The long lifespan of photovoltaic systems necessitates the management of maintenance and breakdown costs over a long time horizon. While the installers usually brief the customers on details of maintenance checks to be carried out at regular intervals, the safest and most effective maintenance service can be provided by solar professionals conversant with system components and their safety procedures.

For further information on any aspect of solar energy, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match based on your requirements. With 72 years of market experience, VEMC provides end-to-end EPC services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.