By 2027, it is expected that the global market for ground-mounted solar energy will be worth $9.65 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 9.56% from 2022 to 2027 1. The solar system with the ground-mounted panels is fixed tilt and is simple to install in a large yard or field. Ground-mounted solar power plants are an essential component of the renewable energy landscape. Implementing a strong preventative maintenance program is essential to ensuring maximum performance and lifetime. Here, we will describe a thorough solar maintenance checklist for ground-mounted systems to maximize energy production and reduce downtime. This comprehensive solar panel maintenance checklist includes all necessary steps to maintain efficiency and reliability.
Monthly Solar Inspection Checklist for Ground-Mounted Plant
Visual Inspection
PV modules are used all over the world and are forced to operate in a variety of configurations and extreme weather conditions. This makes them vulnerable to various defects, leading to significant yield losses. Various methods are used to find, locate, and identify defects. Utilizing a comprehensive solar inspection checklist can help identify issues early. If you notice any of the following conditions: encapsulant browning, hot spots, milky pattern, encapsulant delamination, bubble formation, back sheet polymer cracks, junction box connections corrosion, busbar, front grid, anti-reflection coating corrosion and discoloration, or junction cables insulation degradation, the modules are likely deteriorating more quickly than the typical rate of 1% per year. A thorough solar plant maintenance checklist is essential to address these defects and ensure the longevity and efficiency of your solar system.
Module Array
Physical damage is to be checked for in solar panels, such as cracks or delamination or any other physical damage. Maintain maximum light absorption by cleaning the modules to get rid of any dirt, dust, and debris. In order to avoid shadowing, check the growth of the surrounding vegetation.
Racking and Mounting System
Look for corrosion, loose bolts, or other indicators of degradation while inspecting the structural integrity. To get the most sunshine exposure, check the module alignment. Assess whether any ground settling has changed the location of the array.
Electrical Systems
A photovoltaic system normally consists of a number of photovoltaic modules, an inverter, a battery pack for storing energy, a charge controller, a connector cable, circuit breakers, fuses, disconnect switches, voltage meters, and, optionally, a solar tracking device.
Quarterly Solar Inspection Checklist for Ground-Mounted Plant
Wiring and Connections
Check the wiring for any evidence of overheating, exposed wires, or loose connections.
Make sure all electrical connections are securely attached by tightening them.
Make sure that there hasn’t been any rodent damage by checking the insulation on the wire.
Inverters and Transformers
Inspect the inverter housing for any indications of water damage, excessive heat, or strange noises.
Ensure that the voltage and current levels are within the prescribed range by monitoring them.
Check the ventilation and fans in the cooling systems to make sure they are working correctly.
Grounding and Lightning Protection
Static electricity that builds up in an aboveground structure is continuously discharged down an electrical channel to the ground. This frequently prevents lightning from ever being attracted in the first place. Electronic equipment is protected by electrical surges being absorbed by lightning arrestors and surge protectors. To ensure these systems function properly, it is essential to use a lightning arrester inspection checklist and a lightning arrester maintenance checklist. These checklists help in regularly inspecting and maintaining lightning arresters, ensuring the safety and protection of electronic equipment from electrical surges.
Checking the grounding system is important for safety and lightning protection.
Ensure that surge protection devices are operational before inspecting lightning arresters.
Monitoring Systems
Solar panel monitoring systems assist in ensuring the optimal performance of your solar panels. They check the efficiency, condition, and energy usage of your solar system, and are a crucial part of your solar panel maintenance checklist. These systems also monitor specific parts, such as solar batteries and EV chargers, as outlined in your comprehensive solar plant maintenance checklist. Additionally, they offer warnings when the energy production of your system declines or experiences problems, helping you stay on top of your solar power plant maintenance checklist to maintain optimal performance.
Check Data Logging to make sure data collecting systems are correctly recording.
Ensure the plant can communicate with the monitoring station by checking the links for communication.
Cleaning and Vegetation Control
Shading can reduce the solar panel efficiency. Even shading only one cell out of 36 cells is able to reduce electricity production by 75%. 6 According to studies, one of the best methods for managing solar panels is to remove vegetation. Uncontrolled vegetation can cover solar panels and shade them, reducing their efficiency and raising the danger of fire and pest infestation as well as the need for more frequent maintenance. Including vegetation control in your solar maintenance checklist is essential to prevent these issues and ensure optimal panel performance.
Modules should be cleaned by using a non-abrasive cleaning to get rid of dirt, bird droppings, and other debris.
Trim the vegetation to keep the area around the modules clear and prevent shade.
Annual Solar Inspection Checklist for Ground-Mounted Plant
Environmental Considerations
The PV modules must be exposed to the atmosphere in full sunshine. Therefore, environmental variables including irradiance, temperature, dust distribution, soiling, wind, shade, humidity, etc. have a significant impact on the performance and efficiency of the PV module. When crystalline silicon solar cells are exposed to light, it causes changes in their electrical properties, which is known as light-induced deterioration. Within the first few hours after the new panel is exposed, losses vary from 0.5% to 1.5% 7.
Evaluate the integrity of erosion control features when inspecting erosion control measures.
Make sure water is correctly draining around the plant by checking for drainage problems.
Security Measures
Check the fencing and access points to make sure the perimeter is secure and the access points are locked.
Review the surveillance system to ensure that the security cameras are operating as intended.
Documentation and Reporting
Keep complete documentation of each maintenance activity.
Document any anomalies you find and submit them for follow-up action.
Seasonal Considerations
Higher or lower temperatures can affect efficiency. Consequently, moderate temperatures are ideal for solar panel performance. A solar panel’s output can drop by 0.3% to 0.5% for every degree over 25°C, which has an impact on overall electricity production.
During hot weather, make sure there is adequate ventilation and cooling.
Prepare for winter by insulating sensitive parts against cold temperatures and snowfall.
Ground-mounted solar plants need a strict preventative maintenance program to ensure long-term success. Regular checks, maintenance, and prompt repairs, as outlined in a comprehensive solar panel maintenance checklist, will not only improve energy output but also increase system longevity. Adhering to a detailed solar power plant maintenance checklist will help create a dependable and long-lasting source of clean energy.
