How to Maintain a Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Autumn and Winter?

With the gradual decrease in temperature and the environmental changes brought about by the changing seasons, autumn and winter pose challenges for the operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic power plant. During these seasons, natural factors such as falling leaves, low temperatures, and snow accumulation can negatively impact the performance. Therefore, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure the efficient operation and long-term stability of the plant during the autumn and winter seasons. Here are some maintenance guidelines to help you address these challenges.

Impact of Seasonal Changes on Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant

1. Decreased Power Generation Efficiency

A. In the autumn, falling leaves and dust can accumulate on the solar panels, resulting in the hotspot effect, which can impact electricity generation efficiency.

B. While the temperatures in autumn are suitable for the operation of solar systems, extremely low temperatures in winter, especially in high-latitude areas, can lead to a decrease in the performance of components and electronic equipment, impacting power generation efficiency.

C. Snow accumulation not only blocks solar panels but also exert pressure on panels when it gets thick, leading to system damage. Snow can also turn into ice after melting, adding additional stress to the solar panels.

• Increased Safety Risks

Fallen leaves, dust, and snow can enter the internal electrical equipment, such as inverters, junction boxes, connectors, corroding or damaging electrical components, potentially causing issues like poor contact and short circuits. Additionally, prolonged exposure to dust can lead to a decline in insulation performance, increasing the risk of electric shock and posing a threat to the safety of on-site personnel.

Key Maintenance Guidelines in Autumn and Winter

1. Cleaning the Surface

Regularly clean the surface of solar panels to remove fallen leaves, dust, and snow, ensuring that sunlight can fully illuminate the panels, which helps improve the efficiency of electricity generation. However, when cleaning, it’s essential to use cleaning tools specifically designed for solar panels to gently sweep away fallen leaves, snow, and other debris from the bottom. Avoid using sharp tools or excessive force to prevent damage. If it’s difficult to perform the cleaning on your own, seek professional assistance to ensure personal safety. Typically, cleaning should be done weekly, but in the case of snow or severe weather, increase the cleaning frequency and try to avoid the solar power plant’s optimal working times by cleaning in the morning or after the sunset.

• Inspecting Regularly

Wires and connectors are critical components of solar photovoltaic power plant and need to be regularly inspected. Cold temperatures can lead to wire breakage or loose connectors. Ensure that the wires are intact, connectors are secured, and check for any damaged parts that require repair or replacement.

• Adjusting Panels’ Angles

In winter, the sun’s angle is lower, which can reduce the efficiency of solar panels. By adjusting the angles to better capture sunlight, you can improve power generation. By the way, the angle adjustment should be done periodically based on the latitude of your location and seasonal changes.

• Trimming Tree Branches

Trim tree branches around the solar photovoltaic power plant in a timely manner to prevent them from shading sunlight or directly obstructing the solar panels. Simple maintenance measures will enhance the power generation efficiency of the system.

• Monitoring Regularly

Utilize monitoring systems to periodically manage the performance of the plant. Check inverters’ operation status and also track data such as electricity generation, voltage, and current, promptly identifying and addressing issues to ensure the efficient and stable operation.

Beny Microinverter Solutions: Efficient Plant Operation and Maintenance

Facing the challenges posed by the autumn and winter seasons, Beny microinverters have become the preferred choice for users due to their strong product performance and protective features. They can easily handle complex environmental issues such as fallen leaves, dust, rain, and snow, significantly improving the system’s power generation and safety.

1. Independent MPPTs

Beny single-in and quad-in microinverters both adopt a parallel circuit design, allowing them to connect to two or more solar panels and featuring independent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) capabilities. Even if some panels are shaded or fail to generate power due to fallen leaves, dust, snow, and other obstructions, the remaining ones will continue to generate power at their normal capacity, effectively eliminating the “bucket effects” and enhancing the system’s power generation efficiency.

• Leading IP67 Protection

Considering the operational environment of photovoltaic power systems, Beny microinverters are designed with industry-leading IP67 protection ratings and excellent heat dissipation capabilities. They effectively prevent fallen leaves, dust, snow, and other contaminants go inside the product, safeguarding the internal components from damage. Furthermore, Beny microinverters employ a full potting process to maintain a sealed state for extended periods, ensuring the stable operation and long-term reliability.

• High-Quality Products

Beny has partnered with top component suppliers worldwide, utilizing high-quality and reliable internal components, such as NXP automotive-grade main control chips, and products from international top-tier manufacturers like Infineon, TI, and On Semiconductor. Beny microinverters have undergone numerous rigorous quality tests, reliability verifications, and accelerated life simulation tests, earning certifications from renowned organizations such as CE, TUV Rheinland, and VDE.

• Component-Level Intelligent Monitoring

Beny microinverters adopt communication methods like WiFi/PLCC for data transmission and use a  component-level monitoring and operation system of EMA and ECU. Operational data is stored in the cloud, allowing users to perform real-time monitoring through the monitoring platform web page or the BYM Cloud APP. Additionally, the monitoring system can assist maintenance personnel in quickly identifying faulty modules, improving system maintenance efficiency, and saving a significant amount of labor and time costs.

In the autumn and winter seasons, maintenance for solar photovoltaic power plants is crucial to ensure the system’s efficient operation and long-term stability. By following the maintenance guidelines mentioned above, you can reduce the risks associated with seasonal changes, improve electricity generation efficiency, and contribute to the sustainable use of renewable energy. Whether you are an individual user or a plant operator, these recommendations will help you overcome the challenges and maintain the health of your plant.