Nomad Electric Services co-authors prestigious “Operation & Maintenance Best Practice Guidelines” by SolarPower Europe

Nomad Electric Services, as the only O&M services company from Poland, was involved in the creation of the latest edition of the prestigious “Operation & Maintenance Best Practice Guidelines” published by SolarPower Europe. 

This latest edition of the “O&M Best Practice Guidelines” comes at a time when quality across the entire photovoltaic value chain gained importance in Europe. In the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector, investors are becoming increasingly aware and demanding, making the provision of top-quality O&M services a crucial factor in the success and profitability of photovoltaic projects.

“We are delighted that we were able to share our expert knowledge, gained from many years of experience in the operation and maintenance of renewable energy power plants, in such an important document for the entire industry as the ‘O&M Best Practices’,” said Michał Jędrasik, Director of Operations & Maintenance at Nomad Electric Services. “This comprehensive study aims to standardize and improve the efficiency of O&M activities. Achieving these goals directly translates into minimizing potential operational risks, optimizing costs, and, crucially for investors, maximizing the return on invested capital in photovoltaic projects.“

The report can be downloaded HERE:

“O&M Best Practices” is not just a collection of theoretical postulates but, above all, a practical guide that clearly and systematically classifies key requirements into main categories, enabling the customization of O&M services to the individual needs and expectations of asset owners. These categories include:

• Basic Requirements: The absolute minimum, defining the quality threshold for professional O&M services in terms of safety and operational efficiency of power plants.
• Best Practices: Methods and solutions considered the most advanced and effective in the industry, allowing for optimal results in terms of performance and minimization of power plant downtime.
• Recommendations: Additional, highly desirable elements that can significantly enhance the quality of O&M services, although their implementation remains at the discretion of the asset owner and depends on their individual strategy and investment priorities.

This three-tier classification of requirements allows for a flexible approach to O&M and enables the tailoring of service scope to the specifics of a given photovoltaic installation, its location, technology, age of the farm, and expected performance parameters.

It is worth noting that over 30 experts from the SolarPower Europe Lifecycle Quality Workstream contributed to the creation of this report, bringing their knowledge and extensive experience from various segments of the solar sector, including Operation & Maintenance (O&M), recycling and circular economy, waste management, large-scale solar energy, and PV component manufacturing. This broad spectrum of expertise ensures a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach to O&M issues, taking into account the latest trends and challenges facing the industry.

“O&M Best Practices” is primarily intended for providers of specialized O&M services, investors and financial institutions active in the solar energy sector, asset owners and managers, manufacturers and suppliers of advanced tools for monitoring and diagnosing PV installations, consulting firms specializing in technical advisory for the renewable energy industry, as well as other entities seeking to develop their competencies and activities in this rapidly growing sector.

Engineers from Nomad Electric Services, shared their practical know-how, insights and conclusions based on their work on over 700 power plants under their O&M management across Europe. Their expert knowledge is reflected in key areas of the “O&M Best Practices” guide, including:

• Monitoring and advanced performance analysis of photovoltaic installations: Emphasizing the crucial role of advanced system SCADA for monitoring, analytical platforms in tracking KPIs and optimizing PV plant operations. They highlighted a proactive approach to monitoring, involving in-depth data analysis rather than just data logging, enabling rapid response and failure prevention. They also noted the importance of regular benchmarking of installation performance.
• Effective failure management and optimization of maintenance processes: Stressing the importance of efficient failure response procedures, including rapid diagnostics and minimization of downtime, prevention through regular inspections and maintenance, and the essence of optimizing O&M schedules tailored to the specifics of a given installation and environmental conditions.
• Use of innovative technologies and advanced digital solutions: Emphasizing that the use of the latest technologies, such as drone-based thermography, AI, and digital platforms, automates processes, increases the efficiency of O&M services, reduces costs, and enhances the profitability of PV projects.

Nomad Electric Services continuously strives to improve the quality of its services and implement innovative solutions to ensure maximum efficiency and profitability of the installations it manages. Our active participation in the creation of the SolarPower Europe “O&M Best Practices” guide is another milestone in solidifying Nomad Electric Services’ position as a leader in innovation and the highest standards in the O&M sector for renewable energy sources.