Data can help OEMs understand smart technology
Industry tools and integrated software provider Fluke has released its recent survey findings showing key challenges for the solar industry in an industry-wide effort to achieve net zero. The survey highlights improving panel efficiency, transitioning from reactive to predictive maintenance, and adopting smart technologies as salient issues.
Data can be a driving force behind innovation and operational efficiency, offering a greater insight to on-goings and allowing solutions to be created to these challenges.
Censuswide conducted the survey on behalf of Fluke and contacted over 400 solar OEMS, technicians, and installers across the UK, Germany, Spain, and the USA. The survey highlighted growing attitudes towards emerging trends and their expectations for how the future of solar energy is likely to evolve in the coming years.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe solar will become the dominant energy source in their respective countries. But other issues were brought up that have to be address before this can become a reality.
Vineet Thuvara, chief product officer at Fluke, said: “The adoption of smart technologies is going to be critical for companies to gain a strategic edge. Businesses are increasingly keen to automate their maintenance operations, with approaches like condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, and those that don’t utilize new AI enabled technologies, and their capabilities for collecting more data and gaining more knowledge, will be left behind.”
Rapid shift from reactive maintenance to proactive is also required, with 91% stating concern about efficiency of the current generation of solar modules and a further 39% identifying inverter failures as a common issue. One-third said they are currently using reactive maintenance over proactive.
Thuvara continued, “The next step, and the real opportunity to overcome the challenges facing the future of the solar industry, lies in the use of smart tools to analyze this data, and benchmark new data against historical data to detect issues before they risk causing failures. This is where using advanced diagnostic tools, and training technicians on how to use them will help maximize solar panel and maintenance efficiency.”
Another industry concern is the skills shortage. 59% of respondents noted the importance of training technicians in using diagnostics to assess performance and meet challenges. A further 53% spoke of the need for focused training in electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics.
In positive news, nearly all respondents are taking proactive steps to address the issues highlighted in the survey. AI also has a role to play, with 45% stating AI is a promising prospect in the field. 36% are eager to use AI-powered diagnostics to enhance efficiency. The challenge still remains that 52% rely on external services rather than in-house maintenance.
Fluke’s Will White, solar application specialist, said: “Organisations are continuing to search for solutions to tackle persistent supply chain issues, aiming to find the sweet spot between adaptability, transparency, affordability, and accessibility. It’s positive to see that the industry remains confident in finding this sweet spot to enable solar to be the dominant renewable energy source in the future.”
