Alan Beale, Solarmax USA
Central solar inverters are designed to have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. That’s a long time during which different environmental influences can impact the device’s functionality. Using proper maintenance services to update inverters to the latest standards can help improve system performance and availability.
By: Alan Beale, general manager, Solarmax USA
Large solar PV power plants are installed with a goal of achieving high yields over the long term. Using high quality components that guarantee the durability and availability of the plant is, therefore, essential.
As a key component of the system, the central inverter in particular has to function flawlessly for many years, even when subject to consistently high stress levels. For instance, regular wear and tear or dust and dirt can impact the inverter’s performance. But this can be prevented with proper maintenance services.
Maintenance services should entail a comprehensive diagnosis of the central inverter, including an inspection of the connected cables by qualified service technicians. Worn parts should also be replaced as required, and dust and dirt should be cleaned from the inverter. A firmware update should also be carried out and a central inverter status report compiled for use as the basis for an optional extension of the warranty.
Regular maintenance can help avoid problems. Now the component is almost beyond repair.
Maintenance services should be completed in agreement with the system operator once a year during periods of low sunlight (about October until March) to keep the loss of yields due to central inverter shutdown as low as possible.
SolarMax will introduce such a maintenance service for its central inverters this year. This additional service can also be reserved annually by service contract, if required.
Such service packages enable system operators to increase both the availability and warranty of their system, as well as optimize their system’s energy production and earn the greatest return on investment.
This article was originally published in the January 2014 edition of the SolarMax Globe.
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