The operation and maintenance cost of solar power plant depends on crucial factors. The factors are considered the type of solar panel, the power plant area, the number of panels, the location, on-grid/off-grid system, the power plant capacity, the operating and maintenance condition, etc. For this reason, a power plant operation and maintenance cost becomes different. The average cost ranges from $0.01 to $0.02 cents per watt per year, but for the megawatt, the O&M Cost estimation can go up to
- $20,000 to $25,000 per year for above 50 MW large capacity PV power station.
- $16,000 to $23,000 per year for a 10 to 50 MW medium capacity solar power plant.
- Around $11,000 to $21,500 per year for a 1 to 10 MW small-capacity photovoltaic solar power plant.
It is noted that this cost can be higher or lower according to solar panel system cleaning difficulties, and location or country. It means the operation and maintenance (O&M) cost relies on dirt, dust, droppings, etc. Indeed, the average solar power plant operational cost is around 1 to 2% of the initial solar system installation cost per year.
What Is a Solar Power Plant’s Operating Cost?
Operating cost refers to the running cost of the power station. If a power plant is constructed, running, maintaining, cleaning, servicing, and replacing the panels, and equipment changing with a specific investment, which is called the solar power station operating cost. Solar power plant operation cost depends on some essential factors like administrative costs, size of the power station, fence, PV panel monitoring cost, insurance, and others.
Depending on some essential factors, in the USA, a ground mounted 1 MW solar power plant operating cost is around $35000 to $60,000 per year. Therefore, in the United Kingdom, the 1 MW ground-mounted solar power generating station costs around £18000 or more every year. It is noted that this cost includes power station or PV panel maintenance costs, labor costs, solar panel monitoring software, equipment, and other operating costs as well. So, it’s true that a photovoltaic power station’s operating cost changes.
What is Maintenance Cost of Solar Power Plant?
In most cases, a photovoltaic power plant maintenance cost becomes 1% lower than the PV plant’s upfront cost. Solar power plant maintenance includes cleaning, preparing, installing new solar panels, installing bird netting, and replacing or cleaning (if used), repairing & replacing the inverter and batteries, connectors, cables, circuit breaker box, and others.
If you can bear expenses for those tasks, then this investment is called the maintenance cost of a solar power plant. Maintenance cost relies on some crucial factors such as location, type of solar power plants (ground mounted, floating solar power plant, CSP, etc.), power station area, number of panels, and others. However, according to the recent cost of monitoring, minor updating, minor equipment replacement, PV panel cleaning service cost can be:
- In the USA, a 1 MW ground-mounted solar power plant maintenance cost can range from $18000 to $25000 per year.
- In the United Kingdom, the recent 1 MW ground-mounted PV power plant estimated cost is around £12,000 to £15000 every year.
So, how often do solar panels need maintenance? Depending on the environment and ensuring sufficient output power of the panel, a solar panel needs to be cleaned at least twice a year. If panels are installed in the desert, then you must clean the panels 3 to 4 times a year. You may use an automatic cleaning system that will reduce human effort and save time as well.
Operation and Maintenance Cost of Solar Power Plant
Indeed, solar power plants have low maintenance cost compared to many other renewable energy sources. Solar power plant operation and maintenance costs are involved from the beginning of power generation to the continuous process of how long the photovoltaic power station will last.
The solar O&M cost includes the PV panel installation cost breakdown, such as setting the PV mounting system, connecting panels with each other, the inverter cost, the battery cost, etc. However, there are two main types of maintenance of solar power plants such as
1. Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is a proactive approach to sweep away all unexpected situations and ensure a clean power supply with sufficient efficiency. This maintenance includes almost all maintenance responsibilities such as PV panel repairing and cleaning, connecting, wiring, inverter repairing, battery maintenance, PV panel output power checking, and all components monitoring systems.
- In the United States, the commercial photovoltaic power plant preventive maintenance cost is around $200 to $500 per year.
- Therefore, preventative maintenance cost for home PV plants is around $100 to $300 per year.
It is noted that this cost can be different according to the number of installed panels, the area of the power plant, recent material cost, maintenance requirements, and the solar panel maintenance company’s service charge requirements.
2. Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance is another crucial part of the maintenance. It includes replacing the damaged components from the healthy part, such as replacing denting or fire-damaged PV panels, twisted or broken panels, replacing inverters, replacing PV stands, and others. This is a rare maintenance system and the cost depends on the device and service requirements. The average cost of corrective maintenance in a photovoltaic power station is around $4 to $22 per KW or more per year.
1 MW commercial PV power station corrective maintenance costs can go up from $5 to $24 per KW per year. For large-scale power stations, corrective maintenance costs are around $40 to $70 per KW per every year.
It is noted that solar panel maintenance cost per KW can be different according to the equipment cost, location, materials quality, solar panel maintenance companies service charges, and specific component price (solar panel price, inverter, battery, breaker box price, etc.).
However, there are some additional maintenance cost checklists in a photovoltaic power station. These are also important to count in real life. So, let’s see some essential maintenance cost areas.
3. Regular Maintenance Cost
Regular maintenance means caring for and monitoring the entire solar system. The continuous maintenance includes cutting down the trees so that the shadow never interrupts the direct sunlight to produce sufficient energy. Therefore, inspect the PV system, use PV panel netting to prevent bird nesting, monitor PV output power, clean the panel, and check PV system output using a multimeter, connection, converting unit, etc.
In the United States, a 5 KW capacity residential or rooftop solar panel system’s regular maintenance cost is around $250 to $500 annually. This cost includes cleaning, inspection, monitoring, and cutting trees to remove shadows. So, regular maintenance costs are crucial to consider.
4. Repairs and Replacements Cost
Another important expense area is replacement and repair. Repair and replacement depend on component quality and location. That’s why it is difficult to say specifically. In a tile roof solar system, material costs may be higher due to cleaning and changing the panel. Because a tile roof is the best choice for birds to make their nest.
Bird droppings, and scratching the panel with their nail can increase the chance of repair and replacement. On the other hand, ground-mounted PV systems do not have such a problem. In that case, replacing and repairing costs are a bit lower. However, depending on the location and material cost (PV panel, inverter, batteries, connector, PV mounting stand) 5000-watt rooftop solar system repair and replacement annual cost:
- Approximately $2 to $4.50 per watt.
- Replacing a portable solar inverter cost around $20 to $1000 or more.
- Repairing the inverter costs $400 to $3500
- Battery repair cost approximately $200 to $3000
Commercial ground-mounted solar power station equipment’s average repairing and replacement cost is approximately $250 to $2000 or more, and the average labor cost is $800.
It is noted that this cost can fluctuate (higher or lower) according to equipment repair and replacement requirements.
5. PV panel Cleaning cost
Solar panel cleaning is a continuous and common matter. To ensure better solar panel efficiency, there is no comparison with cleaning. In that case, the average cleaning cost can go up to $0.03 to $0.15 per watt. If you have a 1000 KW capacity solar panel system, then you should spend $30 to $100. You may also require some additional cost for cleaning ingredients like a brush, a water supplier, detergent, cleaning soap, etc. This cost can fluctuate based on location, cleaning requirements, number of panels, and others.
6. Labor Rates
Labor cost is included in the solar power plant operational cost and maintenance cost. This costs for solar panel maintenance and operation rely on system requirements, labor cost per hour, and location. Their pricing can be different in different countries. In the United States, the solar panel system maintenance labor costs 80 USD to 150 USD per hour. Therefore, many solar panel system cleaning service provider companies work on a contract basis or a project basis.
It means they will never work on an hourly basis. If you have a 100KW capacity solar power system where 400 solar panels are installed. In that case, a PV panel cleaning service provider will take a contract to clean them. In that connection, they can charge a sort of amount like 3000 USD to 5000 USD or more depending on the solar O&M requirements.
So contact any companies or local technicians, calculate the cost, and then go for the operation and maintenance of the solar power plant. You should also apply the almost same cleaning and operational strategy for a residential solar system. On the other hand, you may consult with your nearest solar maintenance service provider and get help.
How to Reduce Operation and Maintenance Cost of Solar Power Plant?
All the people want to minimize monthly utility costs. For this reason, solar panels are more renowned, and many residential owners installed solar panels. If people compensate or count the extra cost of renewable energy systems or solar systems, then it would be repulsive.
For this reason, we have brought here some key points to reduce residential and commercial solar system O&M costs. So, let’s take a look at some crucial factors that affect maintenance cost reduction.
Quality of Solar Panels
Quality products always reduce residential and commercial solar power plant maintenance costs and sustain a long period. In most cases, quality panel sustains a long period. Solar panels can last 20 to 30 or sometimes 35 years. So, photo voltaic panels never destroy easily. For this reason, choose the best solar panel for your home, industry, and commercial renewable power station. You may choose a monocrystalline solar panel. It is world acknowledge highly efficient solar panel.
You may also think about polycrystalline solar panels for meeting a small amount of load demand. So, whatever the thing is, choose a quality product and you should avoid buying old solar panels from a person who sells used solar panels (if you have long-term thinking about using them). So, always focus on new and quality solar panels to avoid intermittent maintenance costs.
Use Technology to Clean PV panels
Always monitor your solar system like, output power, efficiency, denting, dust & debris on the panel, bird droppings, etc. If you have a residential solar system then you may clean the panel using a brush, cleaning soap, towel, water, etc. In that case, no need to hire a technician or contact with PV cleaning service company. This strategy will save you cost. You can also use an automatic solar panel cleaning machine that will clean your panel automatically. This cleaning method is very effective for bulk amount commercial on-grid, or off-grid solar power systems.
Advance Solar Monitoring System
Advanced solar monitoring systems assist in monitoring panels remotely and no need to hire a technician to inspect and monitor your PV system. In that case, use free solar monitoring software or an IoT-based solar monitoring system that will show how your panel system is working and how much output power you are getting from your system. This is also a cost-saving strategy. This technology will save your extra cost overflow for monitoring and panel inspection purposes.
Some other essential options will minimize the O&M expenses of a power station.
- Use a better quality inverter with a long time warranty period.
- Apply self-cleaning Practices (for residential solar systems)
- Engage yourself to clean panels regularly.
- Increase automation system for maintaining and cleaning your panel.
How to Calculate Solar O&M Costs
There is an easiest and simplest formula for calculating a solar power station.
Total O&M Cost = (Fixed Costs per KWp + Variable Costs per kWh) x Installed Capacity.
According to this formula, need to figure out total fixed cost and variable cost per KW and installed capacity. For an example
There are two main types of cost Fixed Costs and variable costs (these cost is considered per KW per annum).
However, fixed costs include
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Monitoring Software
- Land Lease
- Property Tax
- Insurance
Variable Costs includes
- Labor cost
- Equipment repair cost and replacement cost
Suppose for a 1 MW solar panel system fixed cost is around 15 USD per KWp
Therefore, 1 MW solar system variable cost is around 8 USD per KW
Now, Total O&M Cost = (Fixed Costs per KWp + Variable Costs per kWh) x Installed Capacity (1000 KW). It is noted that 1000 KW (1000,000 Watt) is equal to 1 MW.
Total O&M Cost per year is around $15 + $8 = $23 per year per KW x 1000 KW
So, Total O&M Cost = $23000 per year.
So, we can say 1 MW solar power plant operation and maintenance cost is around 23000 USD per year.
Does a Solar Energy System Require a Lot of Maintenance?
Not really, solar panel is a durable and long-lasting material. It does not require frequent maintenance. How much maintenance does solar need? A periodic cleaning system is required and minimum maintenance is also required. It may happen in a year, five years later from the PV panel installation date.
So, the amount of maintenance is uncertain. But requires making it clean, so that solar cells get direct sunlight and can generate electricity. Bird droppings, dirt debris, sand, and other pollutants fall on the panel that can withstand to produce sufficient output power. For this reason, a cleaning system is required 3 to 4 times a year.
Do Solar Panel Need Annual Maintenance?
Yes, solar panel systems need annual maintenance like cleaning, inspection, output power monitoring, battery power storage inspecting, inverter checking, connection, and PV panel installation durability checking. So, how often do solar panels need maintenance? Or how often do solar panels need to be maintained? It depends on the system condition and weather (dirt and debris, bird droppings, sand on the panel, etc.). On average, maintenance is required for at least a year. Or sometimes twice a year.
Are Solar Panel Expensive to Operate?
No, of course not. Solar panel energy system is a relatively cheap, reliable, and cost-saving energy solution. It is not expensive to operate. Indeed, solar panels need frequent cleaning (twice or three times) in a year. Homeowners can easily clean residential or rooftop solar systems.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean Solar Panels? For a commercial solar system cleaning cost ranges from 0.3 USD to 15 USD per watt. Depending on the panel size, number of panels, and dust level, it may take $10 to $25 per panel. It is not a major investment and also not a huge investment. Instead of that you are getting a clean, environment-friendly energy and you can say by-by monthly commercial electricity bill.
How Much Is the Maintenance Cost of Solar Power Plant in California?
The USA is an expensive country. The maintenance cost of solar power plants in California is around $12000 to $35000 per year per mega-watt (1MW). It does not mean that this cost will be applicable to all countries and locations. This cost varies based on location, material cost, and solar panel installer cost as well.
Final Thought
The operation and maintenance cost of the solar power plant is around 1 to 2% per kWh but it relies on the number of panels, energy generation capacity, power plant shape, different types of components, etc. The O&M cost also varies according to location, country, and material cost. We have referred to some of the essential steps of the cost of a PV system (residential and commercial). We have also shown an operation and maintenance cost calculation with a simple formula. So that you can easily find the exact cost.