Photovoltaic energy storage construction and operation and maintenance training

Why is energy availability important in assessing PV systems?

Both energy and availability are necessary metrics for assessing PV systems. If the stakeholders involved in a contract are most interested in energy production, and if the contract holds parties responsible for energy production, then it is crucial that energy losses associated with unavailability and system performance are accounted for.

Why should you track energy availability in a PV operation contract?

Tracking this availability (or unavailability) provides transparency into the equipment reliability state to all parties involved in an O&M services contract. In most PV operation contracts, energy will be the driving factor of whether the system is operating as expected.

What are NREL's best practices at the end of photovoltaic system performance period?

NREL’s Best Practices at the End of the Photovoltaic System Performance Period report includes recommendations for system owners, asset managers, and industry service providers regarding the handling and disposal of waste, including reuse and recycling of PV modules and other components as a way to reduce environmental impact.

How do I manage a fleet of PV systems?

Operating and maintaining a fleet of PV systems requires active resource management and data acquisition and analysis by the asset and operation manager(s). Outsource the service to a specialized third-party O&M provider.

Who is responsible for the safety of a PV system?

The asset owner is ultimately responsible for safety related to a PV system and must meet that responsibility through the specific requirements of O&M service contracts and mitigate risk through accident and liability insurance. O&M of battery systems involves important considerations related to environmental and safety requirements.

What is PV system performance?

PV system performance is based on how much time is lost when a system is not available and on the performance of the system when it is available. A system may have an availability of 95%, but a performance ratio (weather adjusted) of 100%.