Decision support system for corrective maintenance in large-scale photovoltaic systems

Abstract

Corrective maintenance strategies are important for safeguarding optimum photovoltaic (PV) performance while also minimizing downtimes due to failures. In this work, a complete operation and maintenance (O&M) decision support system (DSS) was developed for corrective maintenance. The DSS operates entirely on field measurements and incorporates technical asset and financial management features. It was validated experimentally on a large-scale PV system installed in Greece and the results demonstrated the financial benefits of performing corrective actions in case of failures and reversible loss mechanisms. Reduced response and resolution times of corrective actions could improve the PV power production of the test PV plant by up to 2.41%. Even for 1% energy yield improvement by performing corrective actions, a DSS is recommended for large-scale PV plants (with a peak capacity of at least 250 kWp).