Evaluation and Solution Suggestions for Engineering and Workmanship Failures during Design and Installation of Solar Power Plants

Abstract

Among the various renewable energy generation systems, the solar photovoltaic occupies a leading position today due to its simple structure. However, increasing the efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems is a highly researched topic. In this study, possible connection failures in maximum power inverters and other failures, which decrease the efficiency in solar power plants, are examined. Furthermore, the possible consequences of these losses and their effects on the performance of solar power plants are explained. Some missing-failure processes were identified and corrected in the field analysis of the solar power plant in Turkey. Detected missing failures include connection failures of solar inverters, incorrect network configuration of camera system, fixing lighting time settings. The inverter string connection failure made during the projecting and assembly phase was eliminated and the maximum output was determined as 584.25 kW after the DC string arrangement. An increase of approximately 10% was achieved in production. In the project and application phase, the connection details of the inverters should be drawn and given to the field application personnel as a full-fledged project. In this way, incorrect connections that are not shown in the project and made in the field are prevented. This ensures that the installed power plant operates more efficiently, and the budgetary payback period of the investments made is shortened.