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 solar PV systems need maintenance?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been known to lose efficiency and productivity over time if not properly and adequately operated and maintained. In other words, in order to run successfully over time, solar PV systems require regular maintenance, necessitating the implementation of mechanisms to effectively monitor and manage these systems.

What is the operation and maintenance plan for off-grid solar systems?

The Operation and Maintenance Plan for Off-Grid Solar Systems covers preventive maintenance, best use practices, and common malfunctions and defects experienced for the O&M of pico-solar PV systems, solar home systems (SHS) (including component-based SHS) and solar water pumps. The O&M Plan covers the following topics:

Why is maintenance important in PV systems?

The importance of maintenance in PV systems has garnered significant interest, prompting research and initiatives from various institutions to establish “best practices” for the O&M of PV systems .

What makes a successful PV maintenance program?

A successful maintenance program seeks to minimize failures, maximize production uptime, and reduce production loss through timely interventions. Once a maintenance strategy is determined, the focus shifts to scheduling, presenting an optimization challenge to ensure continuous and reliable operation of the PV system.

How does operations & maintenance affect PV investment?

A major influence on risk and return for PV is operations and maintenance (O&M)—but O&M practices and costs vary widely across the United States, making these variables difficult for investors to predict. To address this barrier to continued PV investment, the PV O&M Working Group has developed a new best-practices guide for PV O&M.