SolarPower Europe has released a new report, which provides best practice guidelines for the solar PV industry, which also supports its sustainable growth.
The report was released during the association’s annual Solar Quality Summit Europe and has contributions from over 30 of its Lifecycle Quality Workstream.
These contributors have provided input from their sectors: Operation & Maintenance (O&M), recycling and circularity, waste management, utility-scale solar, and manufacturing.
Stelios Antellis, Chair of the SolarPower Europe Lifecycle Quality workstream, and Head of Global Strategic Operation at Astronergy, says: “The future of solar power relies on lasting quality, durability, and well-maintained systems that meet performance expectations.
“With the sixth version of these guidelines, we keep integrating and refining best practices which highlight the critical importance of proper O&M and ensure that our solar PV power plants generate value for investors and communities for generations to come.”
Old and new guidance
SolarPower Europe’s Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Best Practice Guidelines include updated advice on:
- Solar power plant maintenance.
- Innovation and trends.
- Data management.
The report additionally has new chapters on:
- Electrical safety.
- Common tests and inspections.
- How to sustainably handle end-of-life (EoL) solar panels after a project has been repowered or revamped.
According to the trade association, the guidance has been designed with solar PV systems of all sizes in mind, to be used as a crucial part of an O&M service provider’s toolkit – in addition to as investors, financiers, asset owners, asset managers, monitoring tool providers, technical consultants, and other stakeholders.
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, comments: “A thriving solar industry with quality solar installations is the cornerstone of a successful energy transition.
“These guidelines will ensure that the sector installs solar systems that foster growth, strengthen trust, and accelerate the solar revolution across Europe.”
