Solar Investors Guide #2 – O&M for solar parks

Safeguarding investment against future costs and depreciation
 

As a rule, one to three percent of the overall capital investment in a solar park is allocated to operation and maintenance over a 20-year period. As an asset class, they are considered low-maintenance, with O&M costs significantly lower than those of fossil fuel or nuclear power plants.

Maintenance costs are largely influenced by the extensive area covered by module fields. A solar park with a capacity of 300 MW and grid connection typically requires 250 to 300 hectares of land. Such projects comprise hundreds of thousands of modules, kilometres of cabling and millions of small components, including DC connectors, cable ties and clamps.

Cost optimisation focuses on reducing component variety and selecting durable, long-lasting materials. In a solar park, components are exposed to weather and solar radiation for many years, affecting both plastics and metals over time.

Proactive plant operation depends on monitoring and advanced analysis tools. Thermal imaging drones scan module fields to detect faulty modules, while electroluminescence analysis can identify damaged cells after hail events. Ground-based sample testing may also be used to assess backsheet films.

These measures underline a central principle: operation and maintenance requirements must be considered from the earliest planning and installation stages. Long-term asset value is shaped well before the first kilowatt is generated, and a systematic approach helps protect investments from avoidable follow-up costs and long-term depreciation.

 From the content:

• Professional maintenance protects investments
• Small parts, major impact on reliability
• Misbehaving modules – spotting faults, taking action
• Boosting older PV plants by up to 35 percent