Monitoring is an important requisite for a project involving end users’ changed energy consumption behavior as a result of the smart grid environment. Its main purpose is detecting their response in comparison to a certain baseline.

Rapid problem identification and resolution, minimization of fault-driven downtime, and comprehensive reporting make up the backbone of our O&M offerings.

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From a regulatory aspect, PV panel waste still falls under the general waste classification. A sole exception exists at the EU level, where PV panels are defined as e-waste in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

Solar cell manufacturers are bound by law to fulfil specific legal requirements and recycling standards in order to make sure that solar panels do not become a burden to the environment. That is when technologies to recycle solar panels started emerging.

Photovoltaic producers collaborated with governmental institutions and have come up with a few ways to tackle solar waste.

Decommissioning means that the system is deconstructed, removed, and the land is made ready for redevelopment or return to original use (as is typically required in a decommissioning plan, or as a stipulation of the lease, but will vary from project to project). In most places, the estimated costs and a plan for decommissioning are included as part of the initial project application. This protects the landowner and the surrounding community from both the uncertainty associated with lease transfers and the risk of bankruptcy or abandonment by the developer.

Additionally, many local governments stipulate that if a project is not in operation for a certain number of years (typically between one and five), then the project must be decommissioned. Once a project meets decommissioning requirements, the land is ready for redevelopment or can be returned to its former land use (likely agricultural).

Repowering means that the solar energy system, or a version of it, will be refurbished or replaced and the project will continue to operate at the same location for another lease cycle. Repowering may require new sitting permits that will vary by location and may even require applications to the public utility commission if power output after repowering exceeds a specific threshold (which varies by state). This means that there are degrees of repowering, depending on the type of energy system. A project can undergo a full repower (at various PPA output levels), partial repower, or retrofit package/software upgrade.

Comprehensive solar engineering services are of utmost importance in the development of utility-scale solar PV power plants in order to safeguard project developers’ investment. These engineering services broadly include providing assistance in EPC contractor selection, validation of designs, and assurance of quality and performance of the projects.

These services are required by project developers who look to owners’ engineers to independently evaluate various aspects of the project in order to help minimize the risks during the entire solar project lifecycle.

As solar energy becomes a bigger part of the generation mix, grid operators need better visibility of how much solar power the system is producing. Then they can optimally dispatch solar and other energy sources to balance the generation and demand.

Improving solar forecasts will allow the electric grid to be more flexible and adapt to changing conditions while helping minimize disruptions and the overall cost of operation. Research is improving the accuracy of these predictions, but ultimately, their integration with the grid operation will unlock their full potential.

Module Cleaning plays a vital role in the maintenance of the solar power plant. It is an economical and highly effective activity in carrying out maintenance in solar power plants.

What is Preventive Maintenance?

Preventive Maintenance, also referred to as PM, is a proactive maintenance strategy that involves regular and routine maintenance of equipment to reduce the likelihood of failure leading to unplanned downtime. Through scheduled cleaning, repairs, adjustments, and part replacements, a preventive approach increases the availability and operational output of equipment and machinery.

Specifically, solar panel preventive maintenance focuses on testing regularly electrical connections, controlling the status of the panels’ fixations and the good general state of the solar panels. Solar panel manufacturers give specifications as to how to inspect a solar installation, and large-scale power plants dedicate teams to these inspections so as not to run any risk of failure. If any of these tests yield issues or raise concern, corrective measures will be undertaken.

What are the risks of not using Preventive Maintenance on solar power plants? For many years, it was commonly believed that solar panels do not need any cleaning. Their natural inclination and precipitations would result in automatic cleaning. Measurements, however, show that the energy output of solar panels reduces drastically when they are left uncleaned. This is particularly visible in dusty, arid and windy areas, as the wind blows sand on the panels. Even in milder conditions, with rainy weather and an inclination that helps water to flow downwards, it is noticeable that dried dirt remains on the panels. Moreover, it tends to become ingrained and stay on the panels for a longer amount of time.

While shade on the panels temporarily diminishes their production, dirt will keep production down permanently. On any size plant, the accumulated dirt on the panels within a year, can lead to a productivity decrease anywhere from 1.5% to 30%. In some desert areas, even higher productivity decreases were noted.