Difference between revisions of "SPIS Toolbox - Implement Maintenance Routines"

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{{SPIS Maintain}}
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| {{Next Chapter}}[[SPIS_Toolbox_-_Documentation_and_Monitoring|►Go to the Next Chapter]]</span></span>
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= Implement Maintenance Routines<br/> =
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=== '''<span style="color:#879637;">3. Implement Maintenance Routines</span>''' ===
  
<br/>
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[[File:Visual-check-solar.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Visual check of the solar panels (Source: Lennart Woltering)]] Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.<br/>
<div>
 
Once the maintenance plan is in place and the responsible persons identified, the maintenance should become a routine.<br/>
 
  
 
Critical regular maintenance activities are:<br/>
 
Critical regular maintenance activities are:<br/>
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1. Check daily if the system is working. If the pump is not working:<br/>
 
1. Check daily if the system is working. If the pump is not working:<br/>
 
<ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;">
 
<ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;">
<li>check the water source and pipes (any dirt, blockage, enoughwater?);</li>
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<li>check the water source and pipes (any dirt, blockage, enough water?);</li>
<li>check theelectronics (any burned parts, loose wires, emergency lights?).</li>
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<li>check the electronics (any burned parts, loose wires, emergency lights?).</li>
 
</ol>
 
</ol>
  
 
2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to:
 
2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to:
 
<ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;">
 
<ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;">
<li>energy generated by PVsystem;</li>
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<li>energy generated by PV system;</li>
<li>pump performance (pumpingrate);</li>
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<li>pump performance (pumping rate);</li>
 
<li>condition of water source (purity of water);</li>
 
<li>condition of water source (purity of water);</li>
<li>condition of controller and electronics (visible signs ofmalfunctioning);</li>
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<li>condition of controller and electronics (visible signs of malfunctioning);</li>
 
<li>blockage of drip emitters;</li>
 
<li>blockage of drip emitters;</li>
<li>condition of water storage facility and pipes (leaks, waterlevel);</li>
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<li>condition of water storage facility and pipes (leaks, water level);</li>
<li>condition of solar panels and their mounting system (stability, cleanness).</li>
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<li>condition of solar panels and their mounting system (stability, cleanliness).</li>
 
</ol>
 
</ol>
  
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</ol>
 
</ol>
  
&nbsp;<br/>
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<br/>
  
'''Note: '''Hot panels should not be sprayed with cold water – they might crack!<br/>
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'''Note: '''Hot panels should not be sprayed with cold water – they might crack!
</div>
 
<br/>[[File:Visual-check-solar.jpg|thumb|center|600px|Visual check of the solar panels]]
 
  
<br/>4. '''Throughout the year (every two to three months)'''the PV system should be checked thoroughly so that:
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<br/>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;">
 
<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>no plants grow close to the panel, the mounting structure, water source, controller, junction box, etc.;</li>
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In addition, the reservoir should be cleaned and the irrigation system should be flushed regularly.
 
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.
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'''Note: '''Inspect your system '''always after strong winds, hail storms, lightning or earthquakes '''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.
 
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.
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'''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.
 
'''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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ==
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====  '''<span style="color:#879637;">Outcome/Product</span>''' ====  
  
 
*Maintenance plan;
 
*Maintenance plan;
*maintenance sheets;
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*Maintenance sheets;<br/>
*checklist for visits to farm;
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*Checklist for visits to farm;<br/>
*weekly inspection sheet;
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*Weekly inspection sheet;<br/>
*bi-monthly inspection sheet;
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*Bi-monthly inspection sheet;<br/>
*'''MAINTAIN 01-Maintenance Checklist'''.
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*'''[[Media:MAINTAIN - Maintenance Checklist.xlsm|MAINTAIN – Maintenance Checklist]]'''.
  
== People / Stakeholders&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ==
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====  '''<span style="color:#879637;">People/Stakeholders</span>''' ====  
  
 
*Producers /producer groups;
 
*Producers /producer groups;
*agricultural advisors;
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*Agricultural advisors;<br/>
*technology and service providers (electricians, companies providing solar powered systems).
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*Technology and service providers (electricians, companies providing solar powered systems).<br/>
  
== Important Issues& Decisions ==
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====  '''<span style="color:#879637;">Important Issues & Decisions</span>''' ====  
  
 
*Maintaining an SPIS does not require advanced technical skills and the overall effort is relatively low, when compared to other technologies.
 
*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.
 
*It is important to establish inspection and maintenance routines and to schedule them as part of the work plan of the farm.
</div>
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<br/>
 
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{| cellpadding="1"
[[Category:Tools]]
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|-
[[Category:Powering_Agriculture]]
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| {{Back to SPIS Toolbox 2}}
[[Category:SPIS_Module]]
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|
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| {{Back to Maintain}}
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|
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| {{Next Chapter}}[[SPIS_Toolbox_-_Documentation_and_Monitoring|►Go to the Next Chapter]]</span></span>
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|}
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{{SPIS Reference}}

Latest revision as of 14:07, 14 August 2020

►Back to the Start Page ►Back to the Module Page ►Go to the Next Chapter

3. Implement Maintenance Routines

Visual check of the solar panels (Source: Lennart Woltering)

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:

  1. check the water source and pipes (any dirt, blockage, enough water?);
  2. check the electronics (any burned parts, loose wires, emergency lights?).

2. Inspect the system once a week with respect to:

  1. energy generated by PV system;
  2. pump performance (pumping rate);
  3. condition of water source (purity of water);
  4. condition of controller and electronics (visible signs of malfunctioning);
  5. blockage of drip emitters;
  6. condition of water storage facility and pipes (leaks, water level);
  7. condition of solar panels and their mounting system (stability, cleanliness).

3. Clean solar panels every two to four weeks:

  1. clean water and a little scrubbing with a cloth covered sponge or soft brush should remove the most persistent grime;
  2. clean in the early morning or late evening, when panels are cool;
  3. 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:

  1. no plants grow close to the panel, the mounting structure, water source, controller, junction box, etc.;
  2. there is no shade on the panels (plants, poles, fences etc.), so as to permit maximum radiation;
  3. the fencing of the solar array is not damaged;
  4. 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, lightning or earthquakes 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

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.


►Back to the Start Page ►Back to the Module Page ►Go to the Next Chapter