PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Prevention is power: keeping your PV park running at peak efficiency
Preventive maintenance of PV (photovoltaic) parks is a structured program of inspections, tests, and servicing carried out at regular intervals to keep the solar power plant operating at optimal performance, minimize downtime, and extend asset life. It goes beyond fixing problems after they occur (corrective maintenance) by anticipating and avoiding failures.
1. Modules (Solar Panels)
Visual inspection: Look for cracks, delamination, hotspots, soiling, or discoloration.
Cleaning: Regular washing to remove dust, bird droppings, or pollen that reduce efficiency. Frequency depends on climate and location.
Electrical testing: IV curve tracing and thermography to detect underperforming modules.
2. Inverters
Firmware updates and parameter checks.
Inspection of fans, filters, fuses, and cooling systems.
Thermal imaging to spot overheating components.
Torque checks on electrical connections.
3. Transformers & Switchgear
Oil sampling and testing (for oil-filled transformers).
Insulation resistance testing.
Thermal scans for hotspots in breakers, relays, and busbars.
Functional checks of protection relays and safety systems.
4. Cabling & Electrical Connections
Visual inspection for insulation damage, corrosion, or rodent bites.
Insulation resistance measurement.
Tightness checks on connections and terminations.
5. Mounting Structures
Mechanical integrity checks (bolts, joints, corrosion, alignment).
Grounding/earthing system verification.
6. Monitoring & SCADA Systems
Ensure communication systems (fiber, wireless, ethernet) are functional.
Calibrate sensors (Irradiance, temperature, wind).
Compare actual vs expected output to detect early performance losses.
7. Site & Environment
Vegetation control to prevent shading and fire hazards.
Drainage checks to avoid flooding or erosion.
Security systems (fencing, CCTV, alarms) inspection.
8. Documentation & Reporting
Maintain detailed maintenance logs.
Use CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) for scheduling.
Prepare monthly/quarterly reports with KPIs (PR – Performance Ratio, availability, downtime hours).