Sponsored by:
Don Buck: Director, Global Service Business Development, SMA
Solar operations and maintenance (O&M) has become one of the most talked about and fastest-growing segments of the PV industry, and for good reason. A properly maintained solar plant can increase energy yield by up to 30 percent, which has led to a significant increase in the demand for O&M services in recent years. This trend is expected to continue, with GTM Research estimating the global O&M market to triple among plants larger than 1 megawatt, reaching 150 gigawatts by 2017.
The reason for this exponential growth is simple: successful O&M is vital to achieving maximum power production and long-term profitability. However, selecting the right O&M plan can be a daunting task due to the myriad product offerings now available.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all O&M plans—or the teams behind them--are created equal and rarely allow for a direct comparison. Every project is unique so it’s essential to understand which O&M services are needed and which provider is capable of minimizing unnecessary operational expenses while maximizing lifetime energy yield.
The Cornerstone of Any Successful O&M Plan: Risk Mitigation
Professional design, top-quality components and precise installation all contribute to the success of a PV plant. However, even the most comprehensive, professional systems can experience unexpected issues, from module soiling to compromised wiring to shading caused by overgrowth. Each of these represents a risk factor, which can reduce performance by seriously affecting system operation and production. The monetary consequences resulting from these risks can negatively affect—or even destroy--profitability.
To mitigate them, an effective O&M provider must take a proactive approach in identifying potential issues and address them before they can impact an owner’s bottom line, whether that means controlling a rodent problem, clearing vegetation or cleaning the array.
Real-Time Remote Monitoring: Maximizing Performance, Minimizing Downtime
System monitoring is one of the most important services and is offered by every O&M provider to some degree. However, some simply monitor a PV plant’s performance while others actively manage the solar asset using the most advanced technology available. The latter is provided by leading service providers, which take a proactive approach by analyzing, diagnosing and remotely resolving challenges before they turn into larger complications.
To achieve this, these companies employ 24/7, real-time remote monitoring through a globally distributed service network. This comprehensive solution provides an added level of security, particularly for PV plant owners who are expanding their portfolios across substantial geographic regions or are inheriting an aging PV plant that is using outdated technology, for example.
Real-time remote monitoring offers a wealth of advantages that maximize performance while minimizing downtime. These include performance profile analysis; quick reaction to alarms and assessment of on-site service personnel needs; and automated ticket creation and dispatch of field service engineers. It also provides thorough reporting on performance, uptime and financial information; management of preventative maintenance schedules; and tracking and reporting on warranty claims.
Choosing the Right Service Partner
There are many factors to consider when selecting an O&M service provider: the company’s installed base, size of service team, length of time in business, and bankability, among many more. It should be able to cater to the needs of a variety of PV plants within a system owner’s diverse portfolio by offering a menu of options that address both commercial and utility-scale PV plants.
Moreover, an O&M provider should have a team of subject-matter experts who are able to provide support for all of the technologically complex components of a PV system, particularly the inverter. All plant-wide faults and alarms are communicated through the inverter, which is why it is often referred to as “the brain of the large-scale PV system.” Therefore, choosing an O&M provider that has extensive experience and expertise with inverters is imperative.
The SMA O&M Solution
As the global leader in solar technology and top-ranked service provider (by third-party analysis), SMA is best poised to meet the needs of large-scale system owners. SMA has quickly become the trusted name for O&M and now services countless commercial and utility PV plants. That trust was built upon SMA’s experience as the largest servicer of PV inverters in the world, with more than 30 GW installed globally.
