Best practices in photovoltaic systems operations and maintenance

What is operation & maintenance (O&M) of photovoltaic (PV) systems?

This guide considers Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of photovoltaic (PV) systems with the goal of reducing the cost of O&M and increasing its effectiveness. Reported O&M costs vary widely, and a more standardized approach to planning and delivering O&M can make costs more predictable.

How do you manage a fleet of PV systems?

Operating and maintaining a fleet of PV systems requires active resource management and data acquisition and analysis by the asset and operation manager(s). The choices for resourcing O&M are:

What are NREL's best practices at the end of photovoltaic system performance period?

NREL’s Best Practices at the End of the Photovoltaic System Performance Period report includes recommendations for system owners, asset managers, and industry service providers regarding the handling and disposal of waste, including reuse and recycling of PV modules and other components as a way to reduce environmental impact.

Are solar photovoltaic (PV) systems a good investment?

As solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have continued their transition from niche applications into large, mature markets in the United States, their potential as financial investments has risen accordingly. Mainstream investors, however, need to feel confident about the risk and return of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems before committing funds.

Why should a roof maintenance provider meet with a PV O&M team?

By meeting, the roof maintenance provider can share particular areas of concern with the PV O&M team and vice versa. This kind of collaboration can minimize contentious finger pointing when problems arise. Scope and cost of maintenance for rooftop systems are affected by several factors, as discussed below. Complexity

What is a good data presentation for PV plant operations?

9.4 Data Presentation Good reporting is essential to obtain value from monitoring data. In the field of PV plant operations, operations quality is determined by (1) the ratio of the amount of energy harvested to the potential amount of energy available for a particular plant and (2) plant equipment availability over time.