Do energy storage products need periodic maintenance?

The requirements for periodic maintenance for energy storage products should be identified by the OEM (IEEE 2010). In settings where predictive analytics maintenance is economical, guidance should also be available from the manufacturer that identifies methodologies for assessing when a product may be approaching a failure mode.

Why should you track energy availability in a PV operation contract?

Tracking this availability (or unavailability) provides transparency into the equipment reliability state to all parties involved in an O&M services contract. In most PV operation contracts, energy will be the driving factor of whether the system is operating as expected.

What is demand charge management in a PV plus storage system?

For example, demand charge management through a PV plus storage system dictates the strategy for when to discharge the battery and when to charge it. In these situations, the control algorithm will be more complicated and likely call for some degree of forecasting and monitoring PV power, load profiles, and demand charges.

Is stationary energy storage safe?

There are many codes and standards relating to safety of stationary energy storage at the local, national, and international levels by UL, NFPA (NEC, 70E), ANSI, CSA, and IEC, among others.

How long do PV modules last?

PV modules are unique in that they carry very long-term performance warranties of 20 or 25 years (very few types of electrical equipment have such long warranties).

How are topologies determined for PV plus storage systems?

Topologies for PV plus storage systems are typically determined by a combination of regulatory constraints and technical inputs paired with anticipated system behavior and associated system efficiency and cost.