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.

Do photovoltaic systems need maintenance?

The expansion of photovoltaic systems emphasizes the crucial requirement for effective operations and maintenance, drawing insights from advanced maintenance approaches evident in the wind industry. This review systematically explores the existing literature on the management of photovoltaic operation and maintenance.

What should a documented PV system O&M plan include?

A documented PV system O&M plan for a system or fleet of systems should include the following (depending on system size, complexity, and investment): List of responsible-party contact information including site owner and offtaker of power, utility, local jurisdiction, local landowner, as well as emergency numbers.

What is a PV O&M plan?

The PV O&M plan prepared by the owner, EPC firm, and/or the developer and accepted by the asset manager is the only long-term operations plan for a PV system.

What is operation & management (O&M) in a solar plant?

An operation and management (O&M) system is a key component of a solar plant, as it ensures that the PV system will be able to maintain high levels of technical and economic performance over its lifetime (SolarPower Europe O&M Task Force, 2018).

Why is PV system operations a growing field?

PV system operations is a growing field because increasing PV penetration into the larger utility system, and an emerging market for ancillary services (e.g., dispatch of storage, sourcing reactive power, curtailment of output) require more system interaction on an ongoing basis.