PV Reliability Operations and Maintenance (PVROM) Database Initiative: 2014 Project Report
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Earth Systems Analysis
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Photovoltaic and Distributed Systems Integration
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). System and Component Reliability
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Materials, Devices & Energy Technologies
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Validation and Failure Analysis
- Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States)
To fill a major knowledge gap, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) are jointly engaged in a multi-year research effort, supported by the Department of Energy’s SunShot Program, to examine real-world photovoltaic (PV) plant reliability and performance. Findings and analyses, derived from field data documented in the PV Reliability Operations Maintenance (PVROM) database tool as well as from convened workshops and working group discussions, are intended to inform industry best practices around the optimal operations and maintenance (O&M) of solar PV assets. To improve upon and evolve existing solar PV O&M approaches, this report: 1. Provides perspective on the concept of PV “system” reliability and how it can inform plant design, operations, and maintenance decisions that produce better long-term outcomes; 2. Describes the PVROM data collection tool, its technical capabilities, and results generated from database content in 2014; 3. Presents ongoing research efforts that are meant to drive the solar industry toward PV O&M best practice protocols and standards; and 4. Reflects on future areas of inquiry that can help better forecast plant health (e.g., system component availability, component wear out, etc.) and associated lifecycle costs. Ultimately, this report adds to the knowledge base of improving PV system O&M activities by discussing data collection and analysis techniques that can be used to better understand and enhance the reliability, availability, and performance of a photovoltaic system.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1504104
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2014-20612; 553949
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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