AUDIT OF THE SOLAR POWER PLANT

What is a solar station audit? 

This is a comprehensive analysis of the objects work: technical review of the actual state of operation of the entire system (modules, electrical networks), service standards, station safety. 

In addition, the audit can analyze how cost-effective the installed industrial solar station. Does the planned generation in the financial model coincide with the actual one? The audit is held once a year or as soon as necessary in case of malfunctions. And it’s called a technical audit of a solar power plant. 

Why to audit a solar power plant and what does it consist of?

AUDIT OF THE SOLAR POWER PLANT

Once the solar station has been installed and commissioned, Unisolar technicians inspect the equipment once a year for possible breakdowns. This is necessary for the smooth operation of the project. Filtration capacity depends  on a well-timed service and providing  of corrective recommendations.

Why to audit a solar station?

First of all, the scheduled audit helps to keep the SES in good condition and predict possible risks in the operation of the station. The inspection checks both the photovoltaic modules and the station as a whole without shutting down the system. 

Secondly, the audit of the solar power plant provides an opportunity to increase the return on investment in the form of a station that was designed under the “green” tariff. 

The audit will show the location of overheating and the degree of pollution of the panels, the technical characteristics of individual photovoltaic modules and overall economic efficiency electrical systems. During the inspection, experts identify weaknesses and provide recommendations on how to increase the productivity of the station. 

The scheduled inspection even helps in managing warranty claims with equipment suppliers.

What is included in the technical audit of a solar station? 

Carrying out technical audits or due diligence projects includes several stages: 

1. Verification of a project documentation, analysis of design solutions and equipment. In addition to the installed equipment, there are also external conditions of the sites, which can cause risks in the operation of the station. For example, the anticipation of effective drainage, which can cause watterlogging. And this will lead to deep erosion. 

2. Checking the term and conditions of guarantees from partners and suppliers for works and equipment. Whether everything written in the agreements is fulfilled and complies with the Civil Code. Analysis of service contracts may reveal insufficient work on cleaning solar panels or incorrectly specified service life of the station.

3. Safety of the solar station and the established environmental rules, analysis of fault reports. 

4. Physical inspection by experts of the whole project. This is not only a visual inspection of panels and structures, but also thermal imaging of arrays of photovoltaic modules, inspection of inverter equipment, orthophoto of the object. With the help of a thermal imager, local overheating of photomodule areas and the causes of their occurrence are detected. Thermal imaging detects and locates shading, non-functioning bypass diodes, local hotspots and more. This is an important process for identifying problem areas of photovoltaic modules, power equipment and cable networks. The technical audit of the power plant can be performed with the help of drones with a thermal imaging system. 

Based on the audit results, Unisolar technical specialists provide an independent expert opinion on the condition of the solar station.

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