Abstract
Global concerns and growth in electricity demand, especially for rural and remote settlements, has forced governments, scientists, engineers, and researchers to look for alternative solutions in the form of renewable energy sources. High global growth in solar energy technology applications has added more weight in operations and maintenance (O&M) of solar-photovoltaic (SPV) systems. SPV reliability and optimized system performance are key to ensuring success and continual adaptation of SPV technology. O&M plays a central role in ensuring sustainability and long-term availability throughout the operational lifetime of the elements of SPV systems whilst boosting confidence of ultimate consumers in solar energy. While appreciating that SPV installations intrinsically require minimal maintenance actions, the objective of this manuscript is hence to reaffirm the significance of O&M scheduling in SPV systems by reviewing the O&M approaches in SPV microgrid systems. Further discussions focus on the various maintenance strategies employed in the field with special emphasis on corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance strategies. Because of the variation in the design and development procedures of SPV systems, there is lack of clear steps followed in the development of an O&M program for SPV systems and the evaluation of its performance. This manuscript serves to address this through a model for developing an O&M program and portrays the key elements for its success, including a management and execution approach for improved risk-return balance and savings from the O&M expenditure. Eventually, the three models of executing an O&M program (i.e., in-house O&M team, third party contract, or installation company) are analyzed.
Highlights
Motivation and BackgroundThe majority of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa are without access to clean electricity amongst other basic human amenities, with most of the population located far from the conventional power grid
While solar photovoltaic microgrids may intrinsically be low-risk systems as compared to conventional power generation setups, they are subject to unique risks associated with financial, operational, and technical aspects
Unlike standard PV systems, the reliability, safety, and optimal operation of SPV microgrids are improved through the integration of extra protection devices, power conditioning, and modulation electronics
Summary
The majority of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa are without access to clean electricity amongst other basic human amenities, with most of the population located far from the conventional power grid. Arsovski and Co. present a methodological approach that utilizes Balanced Score card inspired through a benchmark, assessing maintenance processes’ effectiveness and its impact on the competitiveness of a business (Arsovski et al, 2011).It needs to be highlighted that financial implementation of maintenance interventions saves money through reducing system downtime and saves on costly repairs (labour and components) This maintenance strategy is known as reactive maintenance; it entails unscheduled remedial actions undertaken to rectify failures, breakdowns, or any signs of inability to perform a function so as to restore a system or equipment to optimal performance (Dhillon 2017; Solar Power Europe [SPE] 2018).In a reactive mode, the promptness coming with being required to repair failure conditions results in diminutive attention paid to ensuring that the operating conditions are within the allowable specifications, resulting in the actual service performance and life-span of the equipment being compromised. PdM is a proactive approach that deals with faults and TABLE 1 | Summary of types of maintenance strategies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
