B2B photovoltaic system maintenance: guaranteeing efficiency and value over time
For a Company, the photovoltaic system is a productive asset: every efficiency point and every hour of system downtime impacts OPEX,ROI, and operational continuity. A well-structured O&M maintenance plan combines proactive monitoring, contractual SLAs, and KPI reporting to ensure stable performance, safety, and full regulatory compliance, without surprises. This guide is aimed at CFOs, Facility/Operations Managers, and HSE personnel who seek professional and scalable management of photovoltaic systems on industrial rooftops and corporate sites.
Why O&M is strategic for the business
Considering photovoltaics only as a “plant” limits the vision: from a business perspective, it is a value generation center that influences costs, processes, and reliability. A proactive O&M plan for your industrial photovoltaic system reduces unplanned shutdowns, improves the predictability of cash flows, and prolongs the useful life of assets, with positive repercussions on safety and compliance. In brief:
- CFO: Reduction of unforeseen OPEX, improvement of cash flow and payback.
- Facility/Operations: High availability and reduced MTTR for your corporate photovoltaic system.
- HSE: Clear procedures for work at height, trained personnel, and compliance up-to-date.
The importance of maintenance
The constant technological upgrades in terms of both devices and installation methodologies currently determine the relatively long-life cycle of PV systems at more than two decades. However, it is crucial to consider that there are several causes that may contribute towards the deterioration of the system and, therefore, to the progressive loss of its efficiency:
- Wear and tear over time: the life-span of an installation can vary depending on the quality of components used and installation techniques. However, a natural loss of efficiency of the components over time must be considered.
- Weathering: weather phenomena, sometimes related to the installation site itself, may damage and alter the operation of the PV system.
- Component cleaning: PV modules can accumulate dirt, dust and other debris over time, which can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the cells leading to a loss of system efficiency.
Effective O&M for your corporate photovoltaic system therefore cannot disregard a perfect integration between remote controls and presence in the field.
Routine and extraordinary maintenance: differences and obligations
Carrying out maintenance on a PV system is a legal obligation. The distinction between the two types of maintenance arise from the legislation itself. Maintenance includes “all works of repair, renovation and replacement of finishes of buildings and those necessary to integrate or maintain the efficiency of existing technological systems, provided that they do not involve alterations to the external appearance of the building and its accessories” (Art. 6, COMME 1, Presidential Decree No. 380/2001).
Regarding the type of interventions to be carried out, a distinction can be made between:
- Routine maintenance of the photovoltaic system: this mainly involves the constant monitoring of the operating status of the system and its components, checking electrical connections up to the periodic cleaning of photovoltaic modules;
- Extraordinary maintenance of the PV system: concerns actions to be taken on an extraordinary basis, such as repairing damage to the modules and/or inverter, replacing them if necessary, checking additional components (storage systems and/or EV charger), and resolving anomalies revealed during monitoring. Extraordinary maintenance aims to restore the original efficiency of the system, ensuring that each part operates at its fullest capacity.
Routine maintenance - essential checks
- Monitoring of yield and verification of production KPIs
- Readings of measurement groups and comparison with the monitoring system
- Updating documentation and compliance
- Regular cleaning of panels
- Snow removal (where applicable)
- Verification of module integrity after high-intensity weather events (hail/wind)
- Mechanical checks (e.g., bolt tightening) and electrical checks (e.g. measurements, protections)
Extraordinary maintenance - when to intervene
- Diagnosis and fault finding with targeted restoration
- Replacement of worn/obsolete components (e.g. inverter, modules, cables, protections, storage, EV charging stations)
- In-depth checks on connections and bolting
- Repair of any damaged modules
- Seasonal preventive maintenance (pre- and post-winter system check)
Maintenance and UNI standards
The UNI standards define different types of maintenance, each with specific characteristics. Here are the main ones:
- Incidental Maintenance (or Corrective) – Regulated by UNI EN 13306 and UNI 9910, it is performed after the occurrence of a failure or breakdown. Its objective is to restore the correct functioning of equipment or a system.
- Cyclical Maintenance – Defined by UNI 10147, it is a form of preventive maintenance performed at regular intervals, based on predetermined usage cycles.
- Preventive Maintenance – Regulated by UNI EN 13306 and UNI 9910, it is carried out periodically or according to predetermined criteria to reduce the risk of failure or performance degradation.
- Predictive Maintenance – Defined by UNI EN 13306, it is based on the analysis of data collected from machinery to prevent failures and optimize productivity. This approach helps reduce costs related to malfunctions and maintenance.
- Condition-Based Maintenance – Also regulated byUNI EN 13306, it falls under the category of preventive maintenance and focuses on monitoring the actual condition of an asset, intervening only when necessary to prevent failures.
- Improvement Maintenance – Regulated by UNI 10147, its purpose is to identify the causes of failures and correct them before they can compromise the functioning of an asset.
Following an adequate maintenance plan helps ensure system efficiency, reduce operational costs, and prevent unexpected interruptions.
Southenergy: your partner for the management and maintenance of corporate photovoltaics
A well-executed maintenance plan contributes significantly to prolonging the useful life of your corporate photovoltaic system at contained costs, ensuring years of reliable, renewable energy production, and reducing extraordinary interventions that can lead to onerous expenditures and downtime for your business.
If you are looking for a partner experienced in the installation, as well as the management and maintenance of quality photovoltaic systems for your company, trust Southenergy, an Apulian company with 17 years in the renewable energy sector. Southenergy’s areas of activity range from the design and realization of turnkey photovoltaic systems, to the valorization of pre-existing plants through repowering and revamping activities aimed at improving installed capacity, comprehensively preserving projects also through crucial activities such as O&M (operation and maintenance), due diligence, asset management, monitoring, and digital energy.
Discover Southenergy’s network of services, the efficiency of our photovoltaic systems, and the turnkey solutions we have reserved for those who have already chosen us: visit the project section of our website dedicated to some of the projects we have realized.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Generally 1-2 times a year. However, in particularly dusty, urban, or coastal sites, more annual interventions may be necessary. Monitoring the PR (Performance Ratio) helps determine the optimal frequency.
Inverters have an estimated useful life between 10 and 15 years. Some warning signs may include illuminated warning lights, error messages on the display, or a decrease in energy production. In case of doubt, it is always advisable to contact a specialized technician.
Neglecting maintenance can reduce the system’s efficiency, increase repair costs, compromise safety, and, in some cases, lead to the loss of incentives and warranties.
The correct cleaning of the elements that compose a photovoltaic panel is fundamental to maintaining the capacity of the system itself unaltered. It is advisable to rely on professionals in order to avoid damaging the system through the use of inadequate tools and putting one’s safety at risk.
Are you interested and would like to receive more information? Contact us using the form below