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As the monsoon season approaches, it is crucial to ensure that your solar power plant is well-prepared to withstand the challenges posed by heavy rains, strong winds, and increased humidity.Proper precautions and preventive maintenance can significantly enhance the efficiency and longevity of your solar power systems during this period.
Do Solar Plants Work in Rainy Seasons?
This is a common question that people ask before installing solar. The answer is “Yes,” solar plants work during the rainy season as well. The only thing to understand is that solar panels will not work to their full potential during cloudy days, and the output will be lesser compared to sunny days. The solar plant will still function, and the remaining requirement of the house or factory is sufficed from the grid. While we know the Sun and its radiation are the most important input to any solar plant, the rain can actually benefit the solar plants.
Let's see how:
Soiling:
----Soiling is when the solar panel accumulates dust, dirt, bird poop, and other pollutants all over the year. This causes a decrease in the performance of the solar plant as the dust blocks the radiation from falling on the panel and hence produces less output. Solar plant owners are therefore recommended to get their solar panels cleaned regularly.
---- With the rainfall, the panels get cleaned with no effort. Hence, the panels remain super clean throughout the season with little care and run efficiently.
Please note: There is a possibility that the dust settles at the bottom of the panel. This has to be cleaned manually for the proper functioning of the solar panel.
Temperature:
----A very interesting thing about solar panels is that despite the fact the sun is the most critical input, only the radiation is responsible for solar panels generating electricity. The heat that comes along with it leads to reduced performance of the solar panel. This can be explained by the temperature coefficient of the solar panels, which typically ranges from-0.2% to -0.5%/°C. This means for every 1-degree increase in temperature, thepanel performance reduces by 0.2-0.5%.
----Hence, after summers, when it rains, the ambient temperature reduces and thereby helps the solar panel cool down,allowing them to perform better due to the negative temperature coefficient.
Now we know that rainfall can also prove to be beneficial for the functioning of a solar power plant. However,since the solar rooftop plant is an electrical system, it is always important to keep a few things in mind and do a scheduled preventive plant checkup before the rainy season.
Pro-tip: Before the physical check-up,through the remote monitoring system, identify any section or string of panels that are underperforming. This eases the technician’s tasks, and faults can be identified quickly.
Precautions & Preventive Maintenance:
1. Plant Checkup by a Trained Technician:
----Check for any open cables/wires, any broken or damaged cables that can be exposed to the atmosphere and cause fatal ground faults.
----In the case of the identified section or string, the MC4 connectors behind the solar panels also need to be checked for water percolation or any other issue.
----While installing the solar plant, it is essential to keep a safe distance between the roof and the solar panel,especially in the case of metal roofs. A minimum distance of 70 mm is recommended by manufacturers between the roof and the panel.
----Any chances of water ingress in junction boxes or data loggers should be sealed if needed.
2. Structural Inspection:
In the case of structures, only a visual inspection of the structure is to be done. If the structure is rusted in some areas, galvanising spray can be used, and loosenuts can be tightened. It is important to note that safety measures for the structure in the rainy season must be ensured during design and installation.
----The structure has to be hot-dipped galvanised iron (80-micron coating recommended) that protects the structure against anyrusting.
----It is important to get your solar plant designed such that the structures withstand air speeds up to 150-175 km/hr to protect the solar plant in case of any storms.
----Check the structural integrity of the solar panels, mounting systems, and other infrastructure.
----Ensure that all components are securely fastened and can withstand strong winds and heavy rain.
----Inspect mounting structures, bolts, and nuts to ensure they are secure and free of corrosion.
----Check for any signs of wear and tear,especially on the frames and supports.
3. Waterproofing:
----Verify that all electrical enclosures are properly sealed and waterproof.
----Ensure that cable entries are sealed with appropriate glands or sealants.
4. Drainage System:
----Ensure proper drainage around the solar array to prevent water pooling.
----Clean and clear any drainage systems to avoid blockages.
----There might be fallen leaves or debris on the roof which can block the drainage system on the roof. This can lead to waterclogging and hence can lead to corrosion of structures and earthing strips.
5. Lightning Protection:
----Install or inspect lightning protection systems to safeguard the solar power plant against lightning strikes.
----Ensure that grounding systems are in place and functioning correctly.
----A lightning arrestor is the one protective shield that protects the solar plant and all its equipment from lightning strokes. Depending on the area covered, there can be one or multiple lightning arrestors that are either conventional spike lightning arrestor or ESE type lightning arrestors.
6. Cleaning Plan:
----Due to the natural cleaning effect of rain,the manual cleaning frequency can be reduced. However, it is still essential to monitor the panels regularly to ensure they remain clean.
----Even during the rainy season, there may be dry spells where dust can accumulate. Cleaning should be scheduled during these periods if needed.
----Cleaning during the rainy season poses safety risks due to wet and slippery conditions. It is crucial to ensure that all safety protocols are followed, and personnel are equipped with appropriate safety gear.
7. Battery Storage:
----Inspect the condition of battery storage systems and ensure they are properly sealed and protected from moisture.
8. Earthing:
----Earthing, in general, is essential whether it be your home, office, factory, or even the solar plant.
----The technician will ensure that your panels,inverter, and other equipment are well connected to the earthing strips and eventually to the earthing pits. The technician will also ensure that the earthing strips are not rusted.
These are a few ways to keep your solar rooftop plant ready for the rain while ensuring its safety and smooth functioning.
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