{"id":104540,"date":"2023-12-11T08:00:51","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T13:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/\/?p=104540"},"modified":"2023-12-14T08:44:59","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T13:44:59","slug":"correcting-the-approach-to-corrective-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/\/2023\/12\/correcting-the-approach-to-corrective-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Correcting the Approach to Corrective Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Omnidian<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The safe and successful long-term operation of a solar asset can be assured through an independent quality assurance and quality control (QA\/QC) inspection. Solar asset owners can significantly reduce the cost of corrective maintenance (CM) \u2013 helping to maximize PV system uptime and ROI \u2013 by conducting a thorough QA\/QC inspection.<\/p>\n

Anna Waters, VP, Commercial Operations at Omnidian, has seen several systems fully shut down not long after energization because a QA\/QC was not performed. The root cause can often be tied to workmanship.<\/p>\n

\u201cA seemingly cosmetic item can eventually become a big problem,\u201d Waters says. \u201cOne inverter going down causes some frustrating system downtime, but it may also signal a more serious safety issue that sets off enough alarm bells to take down an entire portfolio for an extended period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

O&M Starts with QA\/QC<\/h3>\n

Many solar PV system issues that will require CM can be caught right after installation during an independent QA\/QC. A thorough QA\/QC can identify workmanship errors or oversights that will result in immediate equipment failures, safety hazards, or worst case, thermal events. On-site inspections can also uncover issues that might go unnoticed until years down the road, providing long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) savings for system owners.<\/p>\n

\u201cAddressing any workmanship issues while the installer\u2019s crew is still on site will save the asset owner time and money, and help optimize energy production,\u201d says Waters. \u201cThose will be workmanship issues, which if identified early, will prevent potential safety concerns and ensure peak production and return on investment from your asset.\u201d<\/p>\n

No C&I System is Too Small<\/h3>\n

Smaller solar asset owners might consider skipping QA\/QC thinking it doesn\u2019t pencil \u2013 but according to recently released industry statistics, bypassing QA\/QC is a risky calculation, regardless of system size.<\/p>\n

HelioVolta, a software developer and independent technical advisory and inspection service provider in the Omnidian field service network, recently published internal data showing a majority of their PV inspections (62%) find critical or major safety issues. The SolarGrade PV Health Report analyzed more than 60,000 PV system health datapoints from hundreds of independent project assessments conducted from 2021 to 2023. Seventy-five percent of the projects inspected are installed on commercial rooftops in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with system sizes ranging from 100 kW to 350 MW.<\/p>\n

Key Findings:<\/strong><\/p>\n