Operação e Manutenção (O&M) em parques solares: uma visão brasileira e francesa sobre o assunto

Abstract

Photovoltaic solar energy has established itself as one of the main renewable sources of energy generation, driven by the growing global demand for clean and sustainable sources. However, the efficiency and longevity of solar parks depend directly on the implementation of effective operation and maintenance (O&M) strategies. This paper investigates the O&M practices adopted in solar parks, with a comparative analysis between Brazil and France. Topics such as commissioning, preventive and corrective maintenance, real-time monitoring and the impact of new technologies such as thermographic inspection and machine learning for predictive fault diagnosis are discussed. In addition to the theoretical review, this study presents a case study applied to photovoltaic plants in Brazil, analyzing key energy and operational performance indicators. Metrics such as Performance Ratio (PR), capacity factor and energy availability were evaluated, as well as the efficiency of module cleaning and the effectiveness of thermographic inspection in identifying faults. In France, performance indices were also analyzed, but now to assess the effects of self-shading, the influence of temperature and the performance of inverters, as well as a presentation of an action in France to ensure the safety of employees accessing the park. The results show that the adoption of advanced O&M strategies, combined with the use of innovative technologies and efficient asset management, can increase plant productivity and reduce energy losses. The comparison between the Brazilian and French models highlights how structural, regulatory and strategic differences impact the management of solar assets in each country, influencing costs, operational efficiency and challenges in implementing O&M practices.