Operation & maintenance - the key for reliable performance in a CPV power plant

The 44.19 MWp concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) power plant CPV 1 in Touwsrivier, South Africa is three years in operation. Lessons learnt for optimizing the power production are presented. The plant configuration is described and the key steps for reliable and efficient operation and maintenance are discussed. By introducing structured operation and maintenance procedures, the produced energy of the plant could be significantly increased. Without these new maintenance procedures the power plant output was less than originally predicted. Eventually, after introducing the proper maintenance concept in July 2017 for the first time, the total produced energy cumulated over a 12 month period was above the predicted modelled energy. This proves the importance to develop and apply site specific structured operation and maintenance procedures.