Identifying problems at string level in order to make warranty claims

Knowing when you have legitimate cause to make a warranty claim can be difficult, especially when it concerns complex equipment. Manually keeping track of every component is a nightmare, and hugely inefficient to boot.

The client here was an Independent Power Producer (IPP) managing five PV plants under contractual warranty. They were having to spend a lot of time and effort trying to keep on top of issues with disconnections, installed panel performance and warranty compliance.

Quintas Analytics devised a new system to identify and prioritise the issues, as well as matching them to manufacturers’ warranties so claims could be made. This solution saved the client time, money and greatly increased operational efficiency.

THE SOLUTION

The Quintas Analytics team’s successful solution addressed the client’s issue in several ways.

1. Centralised Analysis Platform: This platform collected and processed string availability and performance data in the greatest possible detail.
2. Calculation of Availability & Performance: Algorithms calculated the availability of strings and compared their performance with the values guaranteed by the PV panel manufacturers.
3. Identification & Classification: The solution automatically identified the strings and sorted them by availability and performance, before linking each one to its combiner box and inverter, allowing the problem to be quickly located on site.
4. Automatic Notifications: Asset managers received weekly notifications, containing a list of strings with associated availability, performance, and location details.
5. Resolution Time Metrics: The solution recorded operators' resolution times for identified issues, allowing management to monitor and improve operational efficiency.

THE BENEFITS

• Automation & Efficiency: Quintas’ solution replaced the manual process previously caried out in MS Excel, saving time and boosting management’s efficiency and analysis capabilities.
• Warranty Compliance: Comparison with the performance standards guaranteed by PV panel manufacturers enabled the early identification of problems and more effective warranty management.
• Optimised Power Generation: Rapid identification of disconnected strings and other performance issues contributed to better power generation.
• Informed Decision Making: Sorting, identifying, and locating strings with performance issues streamlined and improved the maintenance decisions process.
• Improved Operations: Recording operator response times encouraged faster reactions and continuous improvement.

The solution succeeded in improving both asset management and the effectiveness of contractual guarantees. Automating the process and calculating of time-to-resolution metrics also provided essential tools for effective and profitable management.

Want to learn more? Read our real cases of use: https://hubs.ly/Q02m-fJ50