IT enabled rigorous maintenance and monitoring solutions for solar panels

Experts from the solar PV segment provide us with a brief overview of the technology enabled methods for achieving optimum efficiency in maintenance practises, emphasising the importance of appropriate maintenance in solar panels.

The market for solar power, which includes solar panels, is expected to slow down at a CAGR of 35.24 percent. The Indian solar power market is fragmented, and vendors are using both organic and inorganic expansion techniques to compete.

Solar energy plays a vital role in providing electricity in both rural and urban locations in the current market scenario. Because sunlight is abundant in the country, a portion of it can be used to meet the country’s power needs.

Solar panels are an excellent investment that may offer you a low-cost, sustainable source of solar energy for the next 25 years or more. But how can you keep them going? Do solar panels require regular maintenance to be in good working order? Or are you meant to just leave them alone? 

A solar energy system requires very minimal maintenance if it is properly installed. Solar panels of good quality can easily last 15 years. Solar panels, in fact, come with a 25- year warranty. With the proper care, you may expect a consistent and maximised output for a long time. Cleaning your solar panels two to four times a year is normally advised. 

Present trends in solar panel capacity in India 

Solar power installed capacity has increased more than 18 times from March 2014, from 2.63 GW to 49.3 GW by the end of 2021. From FY22 to December 2021, India installed 7.4 GW of solar power capacity, up 335 percent from 1.73 GW the previous year. “Off-grid solar power is fast developing in India,” says Siddharth Gangal, CEO, Solar Labs. “In the first half of 2021, 329,000 off-grid solar items were sold.”

The country has set an ambitious goal of achieving 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of 2022, with plans to increase to 500 GW by 2030. “This is the world’s greatest renewable energy expansion strategy, and solar and wind power will play a significant role,” says Manoj Gupta, VP-Solar and Waste to Energy Business, Fortum India.

Maintenance practises for efficiency in solar panels 

Solar panel cleaning is easy but time-consuming. It ensures that the solar cells receive the maximum amount of sunlight and are not obstructed. “Cleaning the glass on the panels is a simple procedure that may be repeated as needed depending on the quantity of dirt that has accumulated,” says Siddharth. The panels can be cleaned with a soft cloth or rag and biodegradable soap. “If you’re only dealing with dust,” Siddharth says, “you may spray the panels with water.”

Manoj emphasises the advantages of digital panel maintenance solutions. “IT-enabled solutions and robotic/waterless cleaning technology are increasing the efficiency and safety of operations and maintenance,” he says.

Technologies for monitoring the efficiency of solar panels and modules 

Continuous monitoring is critical for a long-lasting PV system. Because the electrical cabinets are outside, the system might be affected by numerous external elements such as severe weather, sunlight, rainfall, and so on. As they are vulnerable to climate change, constant monitoring is essential.

You can measure how much electricity your panels produce on any given day and over time by incorporating a solar panel monitoring system into your setup. Siddharth goes on to say that it allows you to look at how different external factors affect your panels’ performance and how well they maintain their efficiency over time. If a panel breaks or malfunctions, the monitoring system will alert you, allowing you to repair or replace it.

There have been numerous developments in solar technology. PV modules with improved efficiency, higher-rated inverters and transformers, and so on. The ultimate goal will be to maximise land utilisation. “There was a period over a decade ago when installing 1 MW of solar required roughly 7-8 acres of land; today, the same can be done on 3–3.5 acres, and with advancements in technology, it may go down to around 2 acres per MW in the next decade,” Manoj says.

The strong emergence of rooftop solar 

“Despite a number of serious challenges, India has emerged as a hot-selling solar industry,” Siddharth explains. “People are interested in installing rooftop solar systems, but many are unaware of their full potential and are sometimes put off by minor operational concerns or large investment decisions.” India’s goal of generating 100 GW of solar power by 2022 has prompted both interest and criticism. The fact that 40 GW of this will be based on solar rooftop installations is much more far-reaching.

Surprisingly, the rise of rooftop solar systems has transformed retail power users into both consumers and generators.

Projected prospects for solar 

The country’s inclination towards renewable energy is increasing gradually, and so are the developments in the sector. The solar segment is likely to have the largest market share during the forecast period, owing to the declining cost of solar modules and the versatility of these systems for various applications, like electricity generation, water heating, etc. All these factors enable the very fact that India is endowed with vast solar energy potential.

Solar panels are an excellent investment that may offer you a low-cost, sustainable source of solar energy.
Siddharth Gangal, CEO, Solar Labs 

IT-enabled solutions and waterless cleaning technology can ensure enhanced efficiency in solar panels and modules.
Manoj Gupta, VP-Solar and Waste to Energy Business, Fortum India.