Solar installations are often referred to as ‘maintenance-free,’ with few to no moving parts. This is a real benefit when investing in solar energy compared to other renewable energy resources like wind machines. However, as with any technology, unexpected issues can arise. A solar system’s production integrity could be impacted by a variety of factors: rodents damaging wiring, a corrosive or dusty environment, extreme weather, or a faulty product impacting performance that needs to be fixed or replaced. In all these examples, what matters most is product and brand integrity.
What is O&M?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states: “after solar energy arrays are installed, they must undergo operations and maintenance (O&M) to function properly and meet energy production targets over the lifecycle of the solar system and extend its life. Conducting regular O&M ensures optimal performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems while minimizing the risks of soiling, micro-cracking, internal corrosion, and other problems.”
Often, commercial solar projects have an O&M plan built into the contract to help the solar asset owner have peace of mind. Investors want to have full confidence that the data provided during the proposal stage will, in fact, happen in real-world conditions. When the solar panel warranty is 25+ years, it is optimal to ensure the system is producing energy for 25+ years.
Why consider offering an O&M plan for your solar installation business?
Offering an O&M plan opens a potential new revenue stream to help diversify business for a solar installer. It also can entice commercial financing companies to help close more commercial contracts. Today, many companies opt to use a third-party provider; however, some may take that business in-house if they find it advantageous. The solar installation market is highly competitive, so tactically diversifying business by offering O&M for commercial projects is worth some thought.
What to consider
When thinking about the best strategy, solar installation companies and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) businesses—who are doing the design and installation—can factor in product warranties, local service requirements, and manufacturer’s support to customize options for customers. They may offer a range of options like short-term service warranties, monitoring, and repairs, and potentially guarantee power production for 25 years.
One big factor in offering O&M services and guarantees comes down to the chosen inverter and the available monitoring options. Having built-in solar production monitoring can help address performance issues. This monitoring can support the company offering the O&M service to be proactive, but it can also help the asset owner track their solar production to know exactly what is happening with their energy production. The better the data, and the easier the access and use of the analytics, the better off all parties are to optimize energy production.
Why Enphase
With Enphase IQ8 Commercial Microinverters, like all IQ8 Microinverters, troubleshooting is simplified. Often, corrections can be done over the air (OTA), eliminating the need for a site visit and saving time and money for the installer. However, when a site visit might be required, there is module-level monitoring to help make the troubleshooting process easier. In the unlikely event that an Enphase microinverter is facing an issue, one solar installer can carry a <3-pound commercial microinverter to the roof and do the switch on the solar panel directly. With Enphase technology, installers avoid the hassle and energy production downtime that comes with a traditional string inverter at a commercial site. Typically, multiple staff or special equipment (like a crane) is not required, which allows for a faster replacement period and improved energy production vs. traditional string inverters.
For inverter selection, Enphase is a brand the renewable industry trusts. Enphase Energy Systems are efficient, modular, and affordable. Enphase commercial microinverters can be a strategic product decision for solar installers when offering O&M plans for their commercial customers. Some people consider the inverter the ‘brains’ of a solar system. With Enphase, you get:
- Plug-and-play installation
- Enhanced performance and reliability
- Enphase microinverters convert direct current (DC) from photovoltaic arrays to grid-compliant alternating current (AC) before that energy ever leaves the microinverter. There is no high-voltage DC on the roof with an Enphase system. Only safe, grid-compliant AC, the same that powers your standard appliances and loads on-site.
- Modularity and flexibility with design and installation
- Panel-level monitoring
- Through Enlighten, check solar panel performance and efficiency via web portal or mobile app.
- Quality control-backed warranty
- Industry-leading 25-year limited warranty, backed by rigorous testing to optimize performance.
What is the best strategy for your company?
Installers should think carefully about what they want to offer to customers that makes the most sense for their business and for the solar asset owner. This could include regular site visits, a pest control plan, a scheduled panel cleaning (if required), along with proactive wiring and electrical system checks for safety and to ensure production levels are as designed.
The U.S. DOT offers several resources to help establish O&M best practices, while NREL offers a best practices guide in this free, 3rd Edition PDF. The purpose of this NREL guideline is to encourage “adoption of best practices to reduce the cost of O&M and improve the performance of fielded systems, but it also enhances financing of new projects by making cost more predictable and mitigating performance risk.” Care for best practices as an industry only fosters growth due to positive investor experiences and confidence in solar technology and the financial metrics.
When solar installers are deciding to offer O&M services for commercial projects, Enphase IQ8 Commercial Microinverters are a strategic option.
Do you have questions or want more information? Our dedicated C&I team is here to assist. Just send an email to commercialsales@enphaseenergy.com or read more about the Enphase commercial solution here.
