Training: MED-SOLAR MODULE 6 Maintenance of PV Power Plants
The 3 levels of O&M intervention a) Surveillance level - basic up keeping duties to be performed by the operator s local service, e.g. technicians, keepers, etc. verify that operational values are correct (fulfill the nominal specifications) b) Preventive maintenance level duties to be performed by the professional maintenance contractor (Maintenance Contractor) Verify that performance indicators, output, protection and durability are kept within the correct operational ranges c) Supervision Evaluation level duties to be performed by the premise administrator or a subcontracted engineer evaluator (Engineering consultant) data collection and analysis, write up of evaluation reports
Level of preventive maintenance Source: MDC Egypt
O&M plan reference contents The O&M Plan must always be: adapted to the plant implemented and to the site hosting it prepared by or with assistance of qualified professional (s) Reference list of contents 1. Cover with title, authors, date, and revision tracking registry 2. Identification of roles and staff for Basic Maintenance and Professional contractors with copies of contracts in annex 3. PV plant description project as-built 4. Task check-lists specifying responsibility, frequency for each task 5. Protocol for Basic Maintenance (operating ranges, templates for O&M Book, Troubleshooting) 6. Monitoring plan specifying parameters, data logging, data downloading and management
Reference O&M task checklists - Checklists by O&M level - Tasks organised in categories - subsystems given in a PV installation: - Also, frequency for each task must be specified: SUBSYSTEM 0 - General 2 - Battery 3 - Charge Controller and data logger system 4 - Inverter 5 - DC distribution and protections 6 - Technical Cabinet 7 - AC connection to Grid FREQUENCY (preventive actions) at all times weekly monthly yearly every 3-4 years 8 - AC feeder line and priority loads
Task Checklist (18) for level 1 Surveillance level O&M CODE SUBSYSTEM NAME - DESCRIPTION Frequency 1 0 - General Existence and availability of O&M checklists at all times 2 0 - General Existence and availability of O&M plan at all times 3 0 - General Availability and updating of O&M book records (O&M book) at all times 9 0 - General Access to Solar Panels (roofs), Tanks and control system rooms is restricted only to maintenance and authorised personnel at all times 11 Visual check for shading of the collectors during the day (midmorning, noon, and mid-afternoon) yearly 12 Prevent eventual vegetation growth that may produce shading. 13 Cleaning of eventual dusty or soiled panels 14 Visual Check for cracks, hot spots, colour defects in PV panels 15 Sealant around roof penetrations should be in good condition. 16 Visual Check all nuts and bolts fixing the panels to any support structures for tightness, absence of corrosion in metallic parts
Task Checklist (18) for level 1 Surveillance level O&M CODE SUBSYSTEM NAME - DESCRIPTION Frequency 17 Verify the reference photocell and the temperature sensor condition (tight fixation, good contact, wire continuity) 18 Visual check the wiring good condition 20 2 - Battery Check the battery density and voltage (each cell) 21 2 - Battery Check the battery bank voltage monthly 22 2 - Battery 23 2 - Battery Visual check of cell condition - free of sediments and cristals, electrolyte level, free of corrosion, connections tight and protected) Check availability of densimeter, gloves, goggles, distilled water, thermometer, funnel monthly monthly 25 3 - Charge Controller and data logger Check that basic performance parameters lie within design specifications. Register basic parameters in M&E book monthly 33 6 - Technical Cabinet Check good ventilation, restricted acces and availability of H&S equipment (fire extinguisher, hazard signaling panels/plates, existing eye wash) monthly
Level 1 Surveillance level Source: OPEXEnergy Source: Solar Clean Hymach Source: Solar Clean Hymach
O&M templates (Surveillance level ) - Monthly-Trimestral
Task Checklist (12) for level 2 Maintenance Contractor O&M CODE SUBSYSTEM NAME - DESCRIPTION Frequency 4 0 - General Existence and availability of as-built drawings at all times 5 0 - General Existence and availability of technical documentation at all times 6 0 - General Existence and availability of operations manuals at all times 7 0 - General Existence and availability of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan at all times 8 0 - General Availability and updating of M&E reports (M&E book) at all times 10 0 - General General check-up of all elements and operating conditions 19 Check the panels and wiring condition, fulfilment of operating specifications 24 2 - Battery 30 4 - Inverter Check good condition of wiring and terminals (including earthing), tight connections, free of dust. Check inverter state: operation, displays, alarms, verification of modes of operation, etc 31 5 - DC distribution and protections Check good condition of wiring and terminals (including earthing), tight connections, free of dust. 32 5 - DC distribution and protections Check good condition of the ELV connection board - meter, switches, wiring and terminals (including earthing), tight connections, free of dust. 34 7 - AC connection to Grid Check good condition of the LV connection board - meter, switches, wiring and terminals (including earthing), tight connections, free of dust.
Task Checklist (4) for level 3 Engineering consultant CODE SUBSYSTEM NAME - DESCRIPTION Frequency 26 3 - Charge Controller and data logger Download monitoring data, check raw data for eventual errors or inconsistencies 27 3 - Charge Controller and data logger Analyse monitoring data and prepare evaluation reports (, yearly and aggregate). Draw conclusions and recommendations on basic and operational parameters. 28 3 - Charge Controller and data logger If 3rd level monitoring is set, Analyse Complete monitoring data, prepare evaluation reports (, yearly and aggregate) and draw conclusions / recommendations 29 3 - Charge Controller and data logger Check that Operational performance parametres lie within design specifications. Register operational parameters in M&E book monthly
Technical O&M costs Revenues in large commercial and utility plants and microgrids = afford O&M contracted to professional staff. Some contractors offer integrated services: monitoring, insurance and performance assurance. The cost of O&M can widely vary not only as a function of technology, plant size and site conditions but also as a function of market development in the country. Reference rule of thumb: 1.5 2.0% of the investment costs Autonomous and back-up plants are more complex and expensive, maintenance-wise, than pure grid-dependent plants due to the additional components such as batteries and load control devices, and also due to their relative smaller size.
Insurance RISK Insurance: protection from unexpected damage COVERS: natural conditions (fire, lightning, storm, snow, ), water damage and flood, short-circuits, overcurrent and overvoltage, explosion, errors during construction or installation, material errors, subsidence, landslide, rockslide, thef and vandalism, operating error, negligence NOT COVER: earthquake, war, terrorism, nuclear accidents/ radiation or radioactive substances, internal unrest, normal operational or premature wear, corrosion, existing deficiencies
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