Solar is Changing. Rapidly. Here’s What You Need to Know about O&M in This Industry
Solar energy as an industry is changing and maturing, and its growth has been fueled by the globalization of renewable energy. With growth comes a need for cost control and management to ensure that clients’ investments are secure and projects are well-managed. Several companies now meet those needs, including Sandbar Solar & Electric, and these companies offer benefits to solar projects with operations and maintenance (O&M) services.
Here’s how you can benefit from getting professional O&M companies involved in your solar projects.
Cost reduction. Costs determine the profitability and viability of a project. Therefore, minimizing the costs of running the project is a critical issue in solar energy. O&M companies offer the benefit of this cost reduction through methods such as prolonging the life of the plant through error detection. For instance, the company may identify errors and malfunctions that may be rectified before severe damage is done. Also, they control usage of the plant, ensuring its durability and constant maintenance reducing the cost of replacement.
Compliance and standards. Involving an O&M company in a solar project ensures that operational, regulatory and compliance standards are maintained in line with the objectives and purpose of the investment, thus protecting the investment from legal issues. Among the most critical merits of engaging an O&M service provider is the mitigation of health and safety issues which are vital issues leading to legal liability. This includes the area around plants and the workers involved in the project in all phases. These companies institute preventive and safety measures that mitigate the risk involved.
Performance enhancement. O&M companies institute both preventive and predictive measures that ensure the continuity of projects. Using forecasting and trend analysis provides an advantage in anticipating changes and hence adaptive measures can be adopted. The companies can detect potential problems such as safety or efficiency through various forms of monitoring. This also aids in preventing performance lapse in the plants and consequent failures.
It is critical to select the most appropriate O&M service provider for the projects based on client needs and quality of their services. Additionally, various challenges are facing the industry among which are minimal regulation, price pressure, and inadequate skill. The rapid growth in the solar industry has led to an increase in the numbers of different market players – some of whom do not meet the appropriate standards. And thus, there is a need for caution.
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[…] energy-efficient devices, heat pumps, solar cells, as well as other passive cooling/heating technologies (including geothermal) are viable upgrades […]
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