Why do some solar power plants generate less Energy ?

Individuals and businesses pay the most attention to the power of a solar power plant when selecting one; after all, this determines how much electricity will be generated. Other equipment, systems, and sensors that permit monitoring and analysis of the power plant's operation are frequently undervalued. But they shouldn't be: the solar power plant will be operated for decades, so breakdowns and inadequate monitoring can have a substantial effect on the production efficiency of electricity.

Numerous factors affect the effectiveness of a solar power plant, from dust, filth, pollen, and tree shadows to the failure of various parts, connectors, and cables. To maximise the return on investment, it is essential to precisely identify problems and promptly eliminate them. Except for actual maintenance and equipment replacement, the monitoring equipment of the solar power plant handles all of these responsibilities.

Manufacturers' claims and outcomes don’t match

Some manufacturers' PV inverters provide integrated monitoring solutions that display the amount of electricity generated or other metrics. However, those who are familiar with the technicalities of solar power plants recognise that this is only a drop in the ocean. Knowing only one or a few factors makes it impossible to completely assess the power plant's efficiency, to identify the nuances that influence it, and to predict potential breakdowns or energy loss due to neglect.

Bigwit Energy focuses on online monitoring of their installed solar plants along with regular site visits for better data gathering, to ensure that the solar plant is generating at it’s optimal level.

Numerous metrics associated with the energy and power produced by the solar plant are monitored using standard monitoring instruments. This information is typically updated every 15 minutes. In order to better comprehend how the solar power plant operates, our team of scientists has developed a monitoring instrument that records an average of 25 metrics every 10 seconds. The tenfold increase in data enables supervisors to assure exceptionally precise monitoring and respond in real time to concerns.

Some solar inverter manufacturers provide with much more detailed data over their online monitoring platform, which Bigiwit Energy uses to monitor and analyse any signs of defects in the components.

According to our internal data, solar plants rarely reach their maximum capacity. This is due to the fact that they are tested and their maximum power is established under conditions that are rarely encountered in the actual world. The experience of Inion Software indicates that the attitude of the manufacturers has a significant impact: in many instances, the documentation of inexpensive equipment manufactured outside the European Union (EU) indicates the maximum power that can be achieved under ideal conditions, whereas EU manufacturers calculate the minimum amount of electricity their power plants will produce under ideal conditions. In other words, it is practically impossible to observe the claims made by the cheapest producers, but EU-built power plants can achieve even greater output.

Small things can have a significant influence.

Nevertheless, the efficiency of two identical solar power plants erected in different places might vary considerably. In addition to cloudiness, seasonality, roof orientation, and roof pitch, there are other other causes.

According to our research, if even a little portion of a solar panel is obscured — for instance, by falling leaves, dirt, or the shadow of a tree or bush – the overall efficiency of the power plant is drastically lowered. In certain instances, even a tenth of the covered area might limit productivity by as much as 30 percent. Consequently, periodic cleaning of solar modules, trimming of surrounding plants, and other maintenance procedures are essential.

The infographic below illustrates how a power plant's efficiency is diminished when leaves cover one of its solar panels:

Not all problems are easily identified and resolved. Solar power facilities are filled with equipment, connectors, and other components that can unexpectedly fail or disconnect. Consequently, electricity generation can be curtailed or perhaps stopped entirely. There are numerous distinct examples. The evidence we have gathered indicates that inventory overheating is a prevalent issue with solar power plants. They are typically protected from rain, snow, and other external conditions by being kept in covered cabinets, however this offers a risk of overheating.

Problems can be caused by even the slightest details, such as inadequately sealed connections. Moisture coming via them can hinder their functionality. For instance, inverters influenced by morning dew may inaccurately assess the isolation resistance and fail to start on time. An typical solar park can lose tens of thousands of ruppes in annual revenue as a result.

The importance of checking quality cannot be overstated

There are some elements that cannot be rectified or improved; for example, it is normal for solar plants to produce less electricity on overcast days and during the winter, and their efficiency declines with use. The latter element typically results in a marginal, up to 0.5% annual productivity decline. In other words, if your solar farm generated 10,000 kWh of electricity in the first year, it should continue to generate around 9,950 kWh in the second year. Since similar meteorological conditions do not occur every year, they are simply theoretical calculations. To discern normal oscillations from anomalies, however, a high-quality and dependable monitoring system is required.

On the market, it is usual practise to calculate the operating capacity of a solar power plant using a solar radiation sensor. It indicates whether the solar plant is producing as much power as the weather allows. This sensor's inability to function at full capacity owing to dust and grime prevents it from always accurately reflecting the actual weather conditions. As a result, solar farm owners are not always able to determine whether or not electricity is being generated efficiently. Our team of experts has created a monitoring device that does not require a solar radiation sensor in order to observe the operation of the power plant more precisely. The solar power plant's performance is compared to that of neighbouring power plants.

For instance, if a solar plant produces less electricity than other plants in the same region on bright days, this indicates that the plant is not working at maximum potential.

Solar power plants are entering a new phase in which their monitoring equipment will allow them to produce electricity more effectively due to its rapid improvement.

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