Difference between revisions of "SPIS Toolbox - Implement Maintenance Routines"
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= Implement Maintenance Routines<br/> = | = Implement Maintenance Routines<br/> = | ||
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Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.<br/> | Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.<br/> | ||
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'''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!<br/> | ||
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| + | <br/>[[File:Visual-check-solar.jpg|thumb|center|600px|Visual check of the solar panels]] | ||
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| + | 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, lightening or earth quakes '''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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Outcome / product == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Maintenance plan; | ||
| + | *maintenance sheets; | ||
| + | *checklist for visits to farm; | ||
| + | *weekly inspection sheet; | ||
| + | *bi-monthly inspection sheet; | ||
| + | *'''MAINTAIN 01-Maintenance Checklist'''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == People / Stakeholders == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Producers /producer groups; | ||
| + | *agricultural advisors; | ||
| + | *technology and service providers (electricians, companies providing solar powered systems). | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Important issues& Decisions == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:SPIS_Module]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Powering_Agriculture]] | ||
[[Category:Tools]] | [[Category:Tools]] | ||
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Revision as of 11:12, 12 May 2017
Implement Maintenance Routines
</div>
Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.
Critical regular maintenance activities are:
1. Check daily if the system is working. If the pump is not working:
- check the water source and pipes (any dirt, blockage, enoughwater?);
- check theelectronics (any burned parts, loose wires, emergency lights?).
2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to:
- energy generated by PVsystem;
- pump performance (pumpingrate);
- condition of water source (purity of water);
- condition of controller and electronics (visible signs ofmalfunctioning);
- blockage of drip emitters;
- condition of water storage facility and pipes (leaks, waterlevel);
- condition of solar panels and their mounting system (stability, cleanness).
3. Clean solar panels every two to four weeks:
- clean water and a little scrubbing with a cloth covered sponge or soft brush should remove the most persistent grime;
- clean in the early morning or late evening, when panels are cool;
- do not step or walk on the panels as they could be damaged.
Note: Hot panels should not be sprayed with cold water – they might crack!
4. Throughout the year (every two to three months)the PV system should be checked thoroughly so that:
- no plants grow close to the panel, the mounting structure, water source, controller, junction box, etc.;
- there is no shade on the panels (plants, poles, fences etc.), so as to permit maximum radiation;
- the fencing of the solar array is not damaged;
- the mounting structures are stable.
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, lightening or earth quakes 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.
Outcome / product
- Maintenance plan;
- maintenance sheets;
- checklist for visits to farm;
- weekly inspection sheet;
- bi-monthly inspection sheet;
- MAINTAIN 01-Maintenance Checklist.
People / Stakeholders
- Producers /producer groups;
- agricultural advisors;
- technology and service providers (electricians, companies providing solar powered systems).
Important issues& Decisions
- 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.
