Solar farm operations and maintenance needs to be both proactive and reactive to avoid potentially expensive corrective measures at a later date, according to the Solar Trade Association.
The STA has launched an initiative to raise the O&M standards in the sector and is calling for good preventative maintenance planned in advance to “guarantee peak performance, component longevity and safe working conditions”.
It said the main safety risk at a solar plant is from the HV current produced by the project.
“Effective O&M should put in place a structured maintenance plan that ensures that the plant is always fenced off so as to not pose a risk to the general public and that electrical hazards are clearly identified,” the STA said.
“Low and HV components should be regularly inspected to ensure components do not overheat and are contained within appropriately secured and identified enclosures.”
Other important factors are having suitably trained and qualified staff using appropriate equipment.
Image: sxc
Industry raises solar O&M bar
STA initiative aims to improve standards of operations and maintenance
By EBS