In this paper we present a generic model which evaluates the economic viability of alternative maintenance strategies for differently sized photovoltaic plants with variable components. We thoroughly review the existing literature on reliability, maintenance and maintenance strategies for PV plants. The model is applied to ground-mounted solar PV plants of three different sizes: 1, 10, and 100 MWp. The analysis compares immediate corrective maintenance with maintenance strategies of different periodicity (weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly). Simulations take the driving time of the service team and the operation of a spare parts inventory into account. We further analyze the impact of hourly spot prices in contrast to constant prices (feed-in tariffs). We find that corrective maintenance is the most cost-effective strategy. If the service journey takes six hours instead of one hour, corrective maintenance becomes more expensive than weekly periodic maintenance. For a three-hour journey, the size of the PV plant matters. If corrective maintenance is adopted, the establishing of a spare parts inventory should be considered. When volatile hourly spot prices are considered, we find that opportunity costs are lowest (highest) when service teams operate at 8 pm (8 am), irrespective of the day of the week, whereas maintenance events scheduled for Wednesdays at 8 am or 2 pm are, given current EPEX spot prices, the most cost-effective in terms of total costs.

For Indian producers of multi-megawatt grid-connected ground-mounted solar photovoltaic power plants, it is crucial to understand that adopting the best Operations and Maintenance (O&M) practices is essential for optimizing energy output. The renewable energy industry in India has matured, and solar PV plants have seen a significant increase in installations over the past decade. These plants have contributed to the country's energy mix, ranging from rooftops, off-grid, to large-scale ground-mounted grid-connected plants. After installation and commissioning, a solar power plant has a life cycle of 25 to 30 years, and the O&M team plays a vital role in maintaining the plant's operating standards and ensuring guaranteed generation output figures. To maintain the quality of activity execution standards, some of the best industrial practices should be followed across installed portfolios. The first step is to identify plant losses at equipment and transmission line levels through careful observation and data-based approaches. Key performance indicators can be used to identify the nature and quantum of loss, and specific test procedures can be adopted for root cause identification and permanent issue resolution. It is crucial to ensure the serial implementation of corrections across plants and record improvements systematically through periodic maintenance activities. Following these procedures, checklists, and guidelines will help the team achieve the target optimum generation of the solar power plant, leading to increased investor confidence, reduced energy crises, sustained energy sources for longer periods, increased employment opportunities, and contributing towards clean green energy development across the country.

This book provides comprehensive insight into the fault detection techniques implemented for photovoltaic (PV) panels. It includes studies related to predictive maintenance needed to improve the performance of the solar PV systems using Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. The readers gain knowledge on the fault identification algorithm and the significance of all such algorithms in real-time power system applications. Gives detailed overview of fundamental concepts of fault diagnosis algorithm for solar PV system Explains AC and DC side of the solar PV system-based electricity generation with real-time examples Covers effective extraction of the energy from solar radiation Illustrates artificial intelligence techniques for detecting the faults occurring in the solar PV system Includes MATLAB® based simulations and results on fault diagnosis including case studies This book is aimed at researchers, professionals and graduate students in electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, control algorithms, energy engineering, photovoltaic systems, industrial electronics.

This book focuses on various challenges, solutions, and emerging technologies in the operation, control, design, optimization, and protection of microgrids in the presence of hybrid renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. This book provides an insight into the potential applications and recent development of different types of renewable energy systems including AC/DC microgrids, RES integration issues with the grid, electric vehicle technology, etc. The book serves as an interdisciplinary platform for the audience working in the focused area to access information related to energy management, modeling, and control. It covers fundamental knowledge, design, mathematical modeling, applications, and practical issues with sufficient design problems and case studies with detailed planning aspects. This book will serve as a guide for researchers, academicians, practicing engineers, professionals, and scientists, as well as for graduate and postgraduate students working in the area of various applications of RES, Electric Vehicles, and AC/DC Microgrid.

This study presents options to fully unlock the world’s vast solar PV potential over the period until 2050. It builds on IRENA’s global roadmap to scale up renewables and meet climate goals.

Solar power has become big business, with $131 billion invested in 2018, up from just $11.2 billion in 2004 but down from $171 billion in 2017 as unit costs fell. New installed capacity grew from 1.1GW in 2004 to about 107GW in 2018, a steady rise as solar begins to compete with fossil fuels on cost and to be built in nearly every country.This is a book for the solar workers of the future, a business book for those without a business or economics background and those simply curious about major shifts happening in the world energy economy. Key financial, economic and technical concepts are interspersed with the history of the first decade of cheap solar power, and the author's experience of being part of a successful startup in the clean energy sector.Related Link(s)

Covering technical design and construction aspects as well as financial analysis and risk assessment, this professional reference work provides a comprehensive overview of solar power technology. Whether or not you have a technology background, this essential guide will help you to understand the design, construction, financial analysis, and risk assessment of solar power technology. The first two chapters present an uncomplicated overview of solar power technology physics, solar cell technology, applications, and equipment. In subsequent chapters, readers are introduced to fundamental econometric analysis in such a way that will allow anyone, whether or not they have a background in finance, to become familiar with the fundamental costing and financing of large scale solar power programs. This book is essential reading for anyone involved with solar power project development, and is suitable for both graduate students and professionals.