May 21, 2019
Operation and maintenance of photovoltaic stations
Photovoltaic Park Maintenance is a prerequisite for ensuring that your system functions smoothly and safely. Regular annual maintenance of photovoltaic parks every six months is recommended by all manufacturers of used materials and machines for the smooth and chronic operation of the system. Also, the regular maintenance of photovoltaic parks and the existence of a corresponding maintenance contract by a certified specialized company is imposed by the insurance companies in order to compensate the photovoltaic park owners for possible damage. PV plants are investments with a life span of at least 20 years. Their facilities are constantly exposed to weather conditions and natural phenomena, resulting in long-term strain on electromechanical and other equipment.
PLEASE READ 10 + 1 REASONS FOR MAINTAINING A STATION
Immediate diagnosis and fault / malfunction detection and rapid restoration.
Avoiding loss of profit (every hour and day without production is lost irrevocably). Reduce the likelihood of technical equipment problems and thus the financial burden to repair them.
Reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Delay the wear / aging process of the equipment.
Compliance with terms and conditions of building warranty validity for the replacement or repair of installed equipment under warranty.
Drafting technical reports for banking institutions and insurance companies in cases of claim for damages due to insured events (for example natural disasters, theft, extreme weather events).
Extraction of useful conclusions and creation of forecasts for the operation of the PV plant through the processing of historical production and maintenance reports. Minimize the investor’s engagement time.
Ensuring the proper operation of the PV station, aiming at the higher financial returns of the investment.
Furthermore
In the event of a claim for insurance damages from a potential damage to your photovoltaic station, regardless of which insurance company you were insured, you will be asked to:
In this case, if not, the above will not be compensated by any insurance company. What is remarkable is that if you have built your photovoltaic bank station and your PV plant is mortgaged in a bank, then in the event of a disaster, borrowing will become payable in the short term, and then any insurance company will be unable to compensate you if not all of the above are being observed.
Conclusion of all the above is that the maintenance at a Photovoltaic Station ensures the proper operation and guarantee of the photovoltaic station, the proper observance of your insurance obligations, the proper insurance of your loan, and the insurance indemnity insurance from any insurance company .
Task list
Visual inspection of all plant (Quarterly or more often if possible).
Six-month control of all clamps (mechanical and electrical equipment.
Check connections and wiring Checking AC / DC low voltage boards and subnets Check the inverter for good operation Light, alarm, camera and telemetry control Check PPC meter Measurement of electrical characteristics of all strings (DC Inverter Input)
Measuring electrical characteristics at AC output (inverter output)
Measurement by special equipment of earthing resistance, insulation and continuity of underground pipes
Thermal imaging of all equipment with a dedicated camera to find any failure Monthly lubrication of any moving parts.
Half-year cleaning of all equipment.
Half-yearly anti-personnel protection.
Change, if any, any damaged materials.
Annual oil test by a qualified workshop (laboratory oil analysis – if oil is oil).
Annual cable resistance measurements.
Annual lightning protection measurements and earthing measurements.
Cleaning of PV modules with special equipment
Soil cleaning from grasses
Maintenance benefits
Reduce damage and thus reduce operating costs
Maximize the operating performance of the photovoltaic system installation.
Extending the life of the equipment with prophylactic intervention.
Record and maintain a log-status of equipment.
