Best Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Practices to be Adopted in Large-Scale Grid-Connected Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants in India

For Indian producers of multi-megawatt grid-connected ground-mounted solar photovoltaic power plants, it is crucial to understand that adopting the best Operations and Maintenance (O&M) practices is essential for optimizing energy output. The renewable energy industry in India has matured, and solar PV plants have seen a significant increase in installations over the past decade. These plants have contributed to the country's energy mix, ranging from rooftops, off-grid, to large-scale ground-mounted grid-connected plants. After installation and commissioning, a solar power plant has a life cycle of 25 to 30 years, and the O&M team plays a vital role in maintaining the plant's operating standards and ensuring guaranteed generation output figures. To maintain the quality of activity execution standards, some of the best industrial practices should be followed across installed portfolios. The first step is to identify plant losses at equipment and transmission line levels through careful observation and data-based approaches. Key performance indicators can be used to identify the nature and quantum of loss, and specific test procedures can be adopted for root cause identification and permanent issue resolution. It is crucial to ensure the serial implementation of corrections across plants and record improvements systematically through periodic maintenance activities. Following these procedures, checklists, and guidelines will help the team achieve the target optimum generation of the solar power plant, leading to increased investor confidence, reduced energy crises, sustained energy sources for longer periods, increased employment opportunities, and contributing towards clean green energy development across the country.