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Solargen solar PV
9. MAINTENANCE
Operations
Maintenance operations in a solar photovoltaic system are minimal.
However, the following operations are recomended.
1.
Clean the surface of the module when needed; the existence of
dust on the module reduces significantly its performance; always
use water (neutral) with a clean cloth or sponge; DO NOT use an
abrasive solution.
2.
Clean only during early morning or late afternoon, when the levels of
solar radiation are low, and the temperature of the modules is lower,
to avoid thermal shocks that could damage the photovoltaic cells.
3.
Do not use pressurized water or steam cleaning materials, they may
damage the surface of the modules.
4.
Avoid thermal shock in the modules, it can cause cracks in the cells;
do not clean the modules with hot water when its temperature is too
low or with cold water when its temperature is too high.
5.
Check the condition and integrity of electrical connections and me-
chanical components each semester.
6.
If you notice any abnormality in the installation, immediately contact
a technician; do not attempt to resolve it; also, check the maintenan-
ce of other components of the installation, such as inverters, charge
regulators, batteries, and others.
7.
Maintenance operations should be done only by qualified personnel.
Tests
The following tests must be performed during maintenance processes.
•
Checking the open circuit voltage (VOC) in each string of modules.
The value of the measured voltage, string open circuit voltage, should
correspond to the sum of the individual open circuit voltage of all the mo-
dules on that string. If the measured value is much lower than expected,
the string may have a problem.
•
Checking the value of current (ISC) on each string of modules.
Measures can vary significantly depending on weather, time of the day
and possible shading on the modules.
Depending on the number of modules in series, if the voltage exceeds 30
VDC, take all precautionary measures to avoid the risk of electric shock.
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