OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SOLAR
CHALLENGE
A recent survey exploring the development of the solar industry fi nds that it is facing challenges around gaps in data and understanding of smart technology
Fluke’s Solmetric PVA-1500HE2 Kit A
new survey from provider of industrial tools and integrated software, Fluke UK highlights key
challenges for the solar industry. The survey found that improving panel eff iciency, transitioning from reactive to predictive maintenance, and adopting smart technologies were the key factors at play. Crucially, data emerges as the driving force behind innovation and operational eff iciency, off ering solutions to these pressing challenges.
SURVEY DETAILS The survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Fluke, engaged over 400 solar OEMs, technicians, and installers across the UK, Germany, Spain, and the US to gain insights into their perspectives on the pressing challenges facing the industry. The survey results also highlighted attitudes toward emerging trends and their expectations for how the future of solar energy is likely to evolve in the coming years. The research found that nearly two- thirds of respondents (63%) believe
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solar will become the dominant energy source in their country. However, it also highlighted signifi cant challenges that must be overcome to turn this optimistic vision into reality and pave the way for a solar-powered future. “The adoption of smart technologies
is going to be critical for companies to gain a strategic edge,” says Vineet Thuvara, chief product off icer, Fluke. “Businesses are increasingly keen on automating their maintenance operations, with approaches like condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, and those that don’t utilise new AI enabled technologies - and their capabilities for collecting more data and gaining more knowledge - will be left behind.” One of the challenges is the need to
rapidly shift from reactive maintenance to a more proactive approach. With 91% of those surveyed reporting concerns about the eff iciency of the current generation of solar modules and 39% of respondents identifying inverter failures as a common issue, it’s clear an eff ective maintenance strategy is a necessity. Nearly a third of all respondents described their current
maintenance strategy as reactive, while more than half indicated that implementing predictive maintenance was a key priority. Thuvara continued, “the next step,
and the best way of overcoming the the solar industry’s challenges, lies in the use of smart tools to analyse this data, and benchmark new data against historical data to detect issues before they risk causing failures. This is where using advanced diagnostic tools, and training technicians on how to use them will help maximise solar panel and maintenance eff iciency.” Fluke’s Solmetric PVA testing kit [pictured’ analyses and benchmarks solar panel data.
SKILLS SHORTAGE The skills shortage emerged as a signifi cant concern, especially as data tracking through smart technologies becomes more integral to the solar industry’s future - 59% of respondents emphasised the importance of training technicians to eff ectively use advanced diagnostic tools to meet evolving challenges. Additionally, 53% highlighted the need for more focused
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