Full Title: Operation and Maintenance of PV Systems: Data Science, Analysis, and Standards
Author(s): Andy Walker, Jal Desai, Thushara Gunda, and Nicole Jackson
Publisher(s): National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date: November 14, 2023
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
This effort improves the effectiveness and reduce uncertainty in Operations and Management (O&M) cost through four primary objectives/tasks: 1) institutionalize standards for reliability and availability reporting for large PV power plants; 2) bridge systemic O&M knowledge gaps around important topics affecting O&M; 3) characterize systemic failure modes and patterns and accelerate O&M experiential learning cycles using field data; and 4) Establish a baseline understanding of UPVS O&M Cost drivers.
Key results associated with this effort include production of a technical specification and report to the IEC committee, published case studies on O&M topics, conduct training, and characterize field data for climate- and service-related patterns. Integrating these results (e.g., using case studies and data to inform and standardize O&M practices) serves to reduce performance risk and facilitate improvement in the way solar projects are operated and maintained.