Every day, around 1–1.2 million solar PV modules are installed worldwide. With an estimated average annual failure rate of 0.2% in the field, we can expect around 8 million solar PV modules to fail each year, equivalent to the weight of 144,000 tonnes of potential annual solar waste due to failures alone, warns SolarPower Europe in a new report Operation & Maintenance – Best Practice Guidelines vol. 6.
When other sources and streams of solar waste are added to this, such as decommissioning of solar PV modules at the end of their life, capacity renewal, insured cases, and the like, the total amount of solar PV waste is expected to reach up to 8 million tons by 2030.
As it is pointed out, the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase is by far the longest in the life cycle of a solar power plant and lasts longer than 30 years, while it takes 1-3 years for development, and only a few months for construction. Therefore, any neglect of this stage is risky, according to the authors.
The report was developed with over 30 experts from SolarPower Europe, who illustrated their knowledge and experience from across the solar sector, stemming from operation and maintenance, recycling and circularity, waste management, solar energy and manufacturing.
The latest version of the report of the European Solar Association SolarPower Europe, of which RES Serbia is a member, includes updated chapters on solar power plant maintenance, innovation and trends, and data management, as well as deeper research on how to sustainably operate solar panels at the end of their life (EoL) after the refurbishment or reoperation of the project.
The sixth edition also includes new chapters on electrical safety and common tests and inspections. The chapter on innovations and trends has been updated to show new technological solutions.
All of the best practices mentioned in this report, according to SolarPower Europe, are useful and relevant for solar PV systems of all sizes. These guidelines are a key tool for O&M service providers, as well as investors, financiers, owners and managers, technical consultants and all stakeholders in Europe and beyond.
You can read the report below:
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