What is operation & management (O&M) in a solar plant?

An operation and management (O&M) system is a key component of a solar plant, as it ensures that the PV system will be able to maintain high levels of technical and economic performance over its lifetime (SolarPower Europe O&M Task Force, 2018).

How is the solar PV industry changing?

The solar PV industry is changing rapidly, with innovations occurring along the entire value chain. In recent years, a major driver for innovation has been the push for higher efficiency (Green, 2019).

How has the growth in PV markets impacted the power industry?

The exponential growth seen in PV markets has led to the development of large-scale power plants, which has increased demands for better tools for inspection and monitoring.

Is solar PV a competitive source of new power generation capacity?

Solar PV is emerging as one of the most competitive sources of new power generation capacity after a decade of dramatic cost declines. A decline of 74% in total installed costs was observed between 2010 and 2018 (Figure 10).

How much will solar energy cost in 2030?

The global weighted average LCOE of utility-scale PV plants is estimated to have fallen by 77% between 2010 and 2018, from around USD 0.37/kWh to USD 0.085/ kWh, while auction and tender results suggest they will fall to between USD 0.08/kWh and 0.02/kWh in 2030.

Why is the solar PV panel market so competitive?

The high level of competition in the solar PV panel market, mainly due to the future market demand in and the competitiveness of leading countries, is compounded by the fact that transporting solar energy equipment is less cumbersome than transporting other renewable technologies (such as wind).