|
|
| (32 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | <div>
| + | {{SPIS Maintain}} |
| − | = Implement Maintenance Routines<br/> = | + | {| cellpadding="1" |
| − | </div> | + | |- |
| − | <br/> | + | | {{Back to SPIS Toolbox 2}} |
| − | <div> | + | | |
| − | Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.<br/> | + | | {{Back to Maintain}} |
| | + | | |
| | + | | {{Next Chapter}}[[SPIS_Toolbox_-_Documentation_and_Monitoring|►Go to the Next Chapter]]</span></span> |
| | + | |} |
| | + | |
| | + | === '''<span style="color:#879637;">3. Implement Maintenance Routines</span>''' === |
| | + | |
| | + | [[File:Visual-check-solar.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Visual check of the solar panels (Source: Lennart Woltering)]] Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.<br/> |
| | | | |
| | Critical regular maintenance activities are:<br/> | | Critical regular maintenance activities are:<br/> |
| Line 10: |
Line 17: |
| | 1. Check daily if the system is working. If the pump is not working:<br/> | | 1. Check daily if the system is working. If the pump is not working:<br/> |
| | <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;"> | | <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;"> |
| − | <li>check the water source and pipes (any dirt, blockage, enoughwater?);</li> | + | <li>check the water source and pipes (any dirt, blockage, enough water?);</li> |
| − | <li>check theelectronics (any burned parts, loose wires, emergency lights?).</li> | + | <li>check the electronics (any burned parts, loose wires, emergency lights?).</li> |
| | </ol> | | </ol> |
| | | | |
| | 2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to: | | 2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to: |
| | <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;"> | | <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;"> |
| − | <li>energy generated by PVsystem;</li> | + | <li>energy generated by PV system;</li> |
| − | <li>pump performance (pumpingrate);</li> | + | <li>pump performance (pumping rate);</li> |
| | <li>condition of water source (purity of water);</li> | | <li>condition of water source (purity of water);</li> |
| − | <li>condition of controller and electronics (visible signs ofmalfunctioning);</li> | + | <li>condition of controller and electronics (visible signs of malfunctioning);</li> |
| | <li>blockage of drip emitters;</li> | | <li>blockage of drip emitters;</li> |
| − | <li>condition of water storage facility and pipes (leaks, waterlevel);</li> | + | <li>condition of water storage facility and pipes (leaks, water level);</li> |
| − | <li>condition of solar panels and their mounting system (stability, cleanness).</li> | + | <li>condition of solar panels and their mounting system (stability, cleanliness).</li> |
| | </ol> | | </ol> |
| | | | |
| Line 32: |
Line 39: |
| | </ol> | | </ol> |
| | | | |
| − | <br/>
| + | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | '''Note: '''Hot panels should not be sprayed with cold water – they might crack!<br/> | + | '''Note: '''Hot panels should not be sprayed with cold water – they might crack! |
| − | </div>
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | [[File:Visual-check-solar.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Visual check of the solar panels]] | + | <br/>4. '''Throughout the year (every two to three months) '''the PV system should be checked thoroughly so that: |
| | + | <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;"> |
| | + | <li>no plants grow close to the panel, the mounting structure, water source, controller, junction box, etc.;</li> |
| | + | <li>there is no shade on the panels (plants, poles, fences etc.), so as to permit maximum radiation;</li> |
| | + | <li>the fencing of the solar array is not damaged;</li> |
| | + | <li>the mounting structures are stable.</li> |
| | + | </ol> |
| | + | |
| | + | In addition, the reservoir should be cleaned and the irrigation system should be flushed regularly. |
| | + | |
| | + | '''Note: '''Inspect your system '''always after strong winds, hail storms, lightning or earthquakes '''have occurred in your region. |
| | + | |
| | + | After the first experience with a particular maintenance plan, the timing and frequency of maintenance can be adapted to suit the local conditions and capacities of the producer. |
| | + | |
| | + | '''Note: '''Call your technology provider (panels, pumping, and controller) or electrician (electronics) who installed the system for help – this should be part of the service contract. |
| | + | |
| | + | ==== '''<span style="color:#879637;">Outcome/Product</span>''' ==== |
| | + | |
| | + | *Maintenance plan; |
| | + | *Maintenance sheets;<br/> |
| | + | *Checklist for visits to farm;<br/> |
| | + | *Weekly inspection sheet;<br/> |
| | + | *Bi-monthly inspection sheet;<br/> |
| | + | *'''[[Media:MAINTAIN - Maintenance Checklist.xlsm|MAINTAIN – Maintenance Checklist]]'''. |
| | + | |
| | + | ==== '''<span style="color:#879637;">People/Stakeholders</span>''' ==== |
| | + | |
| | + | *Producers /producer groups; |
| | + | *Agricultural advisors;<br/> |
| | + | *Technology and service providers (electricians, companies providing solar powered systems).<br/> |
| | + | |
| | + | ==== '''<span style="color:#879637;">Important Issues & Decisions</span>''' ==== |
| | + | |
| | + | *Maintaining an SPIS does not require advanced technical skills and the overall effort is relatively low, when compared to other technologies. |
| | + | *It is important to establish inspection and maintenance routines and to schedule them as part of the work plan of the farm. |
| | + | <br/> |
| | + | {| cellpadding="1" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | {{Back to SPIS Toolbox 2}} |
| | + | | |
| | + | | {{Back to Maintain}} |
| | + | | |
| | + | | {{Next Chapter}}[[SPIS_Toolbox_-_Documentation_and_Monitoring|►Go to the Next Chapter]]</span></span> |
| | + | |} |
| | + | {{SPIS Reference}} |
Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.
1. Check daily if the system is working. If the pump is not working:
2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to:
3. Clean solar panels every two to four weeks:
In addition, the reservoir should be cleaned and the irrigation system should be flushed regularly.
After the first experience with a particular maintenance plan, the timing and frequency of maintenance can be adapted to suit the local conditions and capacities of the producer.
