8.

2 Preventive Maintenance

A sample maintenance schedule is presented below to indicate typical frequencies of

maintenance actions.

Weekly Maintenance:

 Clean PV array from dust, birds drop. Use clean water and avoid hard water.

 Observe battery state of charge (SOC) using hydrometer. In case of VRLA battery use
voltmeter to measure voltage to check corresponding SOC.

Hold tube

vertical

Do not suck
in too much
electrolyte

Take reading at eye level

100% 25%

Sate of Charge

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Table 8.b: Typical Battery Voltages as Function of State of Charge

Battery Voltage
SOC Specific Gravity
12 volt 24 volt
100% 1.265 12.68 25.35
90% 1.250 12.60 25.20
80% 1.235 12.52 25.05
70% 1.225 12.44 24.88
60% 1.210 12.36 24.72
50% 1.190 12.28 24.56
40% 1.175 12.20 24.40
30% 1.160 12.10 24.20
20% 1.145 12.00 24.00
10% 1.130 11.85 23.70
0% 1.120 11.70 23.40

Monthly Maintenance:

 If flooded lead acid batteries are use check electrolyte level and top up if required. Wipe
electrolyte residue from the top of the battery.
 Inspect all terminals for corrosion and loosened cable connections. Clean and tighten as
necessary. After cleaning, add anti-oxidant to exposed wire and terminals.

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 Check if new loads have been added and system is overloaded

 Inspect array for broken modules. If any, replace it with appropriate module
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Annual Maintenance:

 Check array wiring for physical damage and wind chafing

 Check array mounting hardware for tightness

 Inspect inverter - remove dust or dirt, inspect system wiring for poor connections. Look
for signs of excessive heating, inspect controller for proper operation
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 Verify output from the array (Isc and Voc and if possible Imp and Vmp)

4.10A

18.60V

8.3 Inspection and maintenance of Earthing and Lightening Protection

 Use an ohmmeter to check the continuity of the entire grounding system.


 Make sure that all module frames, metal conduit and connectors, junction boxes,
and electrical components chassis are earth grounded.

00 Ω
 Point of

ground fault

touching the

metallic conduit

Finding a ground fault

8.4 Inspection and maintenance of System Wiring

 Visually check all conduit and wire insulation for damage.


 Check for loose, broken, corroded, or burnt wiring connections.

 Check if all equipments are connected with proper wire and conduit

 Make sure all wiring is secured, by gently but firmly pulling on all connections.

 Check all terminals and wires for loose, broken, corroded, or burnt connections or
components.

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0 Ω

Point of

short circuit

Finding a short circuit

8.5 Inspection and maintenance of Batteries

Checking state of charge

A hydrometer describes the state of charge by determining the specific gravity of the
electrolyte. Usually, the specific gravity of electrolyte is between 1.120 and 1.265. At 1.120,
the battery is fully discharged. At 1.265, it is fully charged.

Table 8.c: Battery specific gravity and corresponding state of charge

Electrolyte Specific Gravity Reading and State of Charge

Temperature SG Reading at SG Reading SG Reading SG Reading SG Reading

(oC) 100% SOC at 75% SOC at 50% SOC at 25% SOC at 0% SOC

48.9 1.249 1.209 1.174 1.139 1.104

43.3 1.253 1.213 1.178 1.143 1.106
37.8 1.257 1.217 1.182 1.147 1.112
32.2 1.261 1.221 1.186 1.151 1.116
26.7 1.265 1.225 1.190 1.155 1.120
21.1 1.269 1.229 1.194 1.159 1.124
15.6 1.273 1.233 1.198 1.163 1.128
10.0 1.277 1.237 1.202 1.167 1.132
4.4 1.281 1.241 1.206 1.171 1.136
-1.1 1.285 1.245 1.210 1.175 1.140
-6.7 1.289 1.249 1.214 1.179 1.144
-12.2 1.293 1.253 1.218 1.183 1.148
-17.8 1.297 1.257 1.222 1.187 1.152

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Battery load test:

For this test, an accurate DC voltmeter is required.

 Operate the system loads from the batteries for five minutes. This will remove any
minor "surface charge" the battery plates may have. Turn off the loads and disconnect
the batteries from the rest of the system.

 Measure the voltage across the terminals of every battery, as shown in Figure below. If
external cell connectors are used, measure the voltage across each cell, as shown in
Figure. Do not attempt to measure individual cell voltages unless the connectors are
external.

!"
!"
V DC !"

Measuring the Open Circuit Voltage of Cells with External Connections

CHARGE

CONTROLLER
 Battery disconnect

switch (Open)

L#"# L#+#

V DC

Measuring the Batteries' Open Circuit Voltage

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Table 8.d: Battery open circuit voltages and corresponding states of charge

Open Circuit Voltages

State of Charge
2 Volt Battery 6 Volt Battery 12 Volt Battery

2.12 or more 6.36 or more 12.72 or more 100%

2.10 to 2.12 6.30 to 6.36 12.60 to 12.72 75-100%

2.08 to 2.10 6.24 to 6.30 12.48 to 12.60 50-75%

2.03 to 2.08 6.90 to 6.24 12.12 to 12.48 25-50%

1.95 to 2.03 5.85 to 6.90 11.70 to 12.12 0-25%

1.95 or less 5.85 or less 11.70 or less 0%

8.6 Inspection and maintenance of Solar Arrays

 Use a DC clamp-on ammeter to determine the array output current during a sunny
weather.

 Conduit and connections must all be tight and undamaged. Look for loose, broken,
corroded, vandalized, and otherwise damaged components. Check close to the ground
for animal damage.


Measuring open circuit voltage

 Measure the open circuit voltage of the array as shown in the figure below. Compare
the measured amount of open circuit voltage from the array against the manufacturer's
specifications.
 V DC

V"DC"

Charge

D+" controller

D!"
Array disconnect

Switch (open)

Measuring the open circuit voltage of Measuring the open circuit voltage of
array module

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Short circuit current:

 If your DC meter has leads, connect them to the positive and negative terminals of each
module and set the meter to the 10A range.

Measuring module short circuit current

8.7 Inspection and maintenance of Inverters

 Check the operation of the inverter at the time of the inspection.


 Measure and record the current draw of the inverter in both idling and operating states.

 Check all inverter wiring for loose, broken, corroded, or burnt connections or wires.
Look for potential accidental short circuits or ground faults.
8.8 Hybrid system maintenance

A typical maintenance schedule of diesel engine based generators is given below.

Table 8.e: Example maintenance frequencies- hybrid vs. prime

Maintenance PV-DG hybrid Only diesel

Interval
Task (500 hours) (8760 hours)

Oil change 250 2 per year 35 per year

Decoke 1,500 1 every 3 years 6 per year

Overhaul 6,000 1 every 12 year 3 every 2 year

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8.9 Maintenance of distribution system

Appropriate design and use of good quality components in a microgrid power distribution
system is extremely important for overall performance and revenue generation. Undersized
distribution cable may cause voltage drop and energy loss in the distribution and low quality
components will cause frequent breakdown in power distribution. Both will contribute
towards low system performance, revenue loss and poor services to the users.

A periodic verifications and maintenance of distribution system is also essential. The

distribution lines, power connections, switchboard and all its equipment may get physically
damaged and also continue to degrade whether they operate or not.

The following verification has to be made by a qualified person during installation:

(1) The distribution cables and its components are not exposed to extreme
optimum environmental and operating conditions.

(2) There distribution cables, poles, guy wires and isolators and are not subject to
any excessive stress and physical damage.

(3) Outdoor joints, connectors, fuses and switches are placed in IP65 rated boxes.

(4) If insulated cables are used, ensure that cables are UV stabilizes and certified to use in
outdoor.

(5) Ensure that provision for expansion and contraction is considered for distribution
cables due to change in temperature.

(6) Ensure that a galvanized steel wire is used to supports the entire route of distribution
line.

(7) Ensure that all safety requirement and regulations are followed based on the
voltage level of the distribution system

Preventive maintenance
The table below indicates monthly and annual maintenance operations for microgrid
distribution system:

Interval Maintenance operations

Monthly Check if there any physical damage to cables, poles or guy wires

Visual inspection and functional testing, replacement of

1 year faulty components, accessories

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8.10 Troubleshooting & Repair

The following guidelines are presented for troubleshooting of generic solar microgrid system.
A more detailed and project specific guidelines should be created for a specific system with
input from the system designer and component manufacturers. Use the troubleshooting tables
given below to understand the symptoms, probable cause, results and remedial actions.

Table 8-1: Reference for troubleshooting tables

Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-3: Loads

Table 8-4: Batteries with low voltage

Table 8-5: Batteries that will not accept a charge

Table 8-6: Batteries with high voltage

Table 8-7: Charge controllers

Table 8-8: Inverters

Table 8-9: Solar arrays

Table 8.1: Reference for troubleshooting tables

Battery voltage is high

Symptom

Load does not operate at all

Battery voltage is low

Load operates poorly

Batteries will not accept a
charge
 Refer to the Table
Array voltage is zero
Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-3: Loads

Array voltage is low
Table 8-4: Batteries with low voltage
Table 8-5: Batteries that will not accept a charge
Table 8-7: Charge controllers
Table 8-2: troubleshooting wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-3: troubleshooting loads

Table 8-7: Charge controllers

Table 8-6: Batteries with high voltage

Table 8-7: Charge controllers

Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-3: Loads

Table 8-8: Inverters

Table 8-1: Reference for troubleshooting tables

Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-3: Loads
Table 8-5: Batteries that will not accept a charge
Table 8-7: Charge controllers
Table 8-8: Inverters

Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-7: Charge controllers

Table 8-9: Solar arrays
Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Table 8-9: Solar arrays

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Table 8-2: Wiring, switches, and fuses

Symptom Cause Result Action

Switches in the system are

Put all switches in
turned off or are in the
correct position
wrong position
PV array
Load does not electricity cannot
be supplied to Determine why fuses or
operate at all
loads or batteries circuit breakers blew or
tripped &
System circuit breakers
or fuses are blown
Reset circuit breaker or
replace fuse
There is a high voltage Check for undersized or
drop in the system too long wiring.

Increase wire size,

Oversized loads a ground reduce load size,
find and correct
fault, or a defective diode
Inadequate ground faults or
voltage to charge defective didoes
batteries or
Wiring or connections are operate loads Repair or replace
loose, broken burned or damaged wiring or
Load operates
corroded Connections.
poorly or not at all
Wiring or connections are
Repair short circuits or
short-circuited or have a
ground faults
ground fault
The load is in
poor condition.
Check for short
Table 8-3: Loads circuits in load,
a broken load,
or an open
Symptom Cause circuit in the Result
load
Shortened battery life,
Load is too large for the possible damage to loads
There is
system or Inadequate sun
Inadequate
voltage at load. Load does not operate
The load is turned off
Inadvertently breakers
Load does not
tripped Shortened battery life,
operate at all possible further damage to
loads
 Reduce load size or
Increase array or Increase wire size reduce
battery Size Repair or load size, find and correct
replace load ground faults
Check load
Repair or replace manufacturer
Action load Reset switches for service
information
Inadequate
Wiring or connections are voltage to charge
Repair or replace
loose, broken burned or batteries or
operate loads damaged wiring
corroded
Load operates
poorly or not at all Small “phantom” load Turn off phantom load or
keeps inverter idling, replace it with one not
draining battery requiring PV power
Loads operate
backwards or
Wiring polarity is reversed Correct wiring polarity
not at all

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Table 8-4: Batteries with low voltage

Symptom Cause Result Action

Load too large, on

Battery
brokenis wiring
always at a low state
too long or of charge
No apparent battery Inadequate sun Voltage not
A higher voltage is required to
defect Switch, circuit
increasing even reach full charge
Batteries too cold
breaker,
Loss or fuse
of battery capacity
when no loads are on
Low electrolyte level Overcharging open, tripped or depth
Excessive discharge
and system is
Voltage below blown
charging Excessive discharge depth.
Faulty charge
charging resumption Shaded modules
Reverse current flow at night
controller broken cell or
discharging batteries
setting
disoriented modules
Voltage below low Inadequate current flow to
charge fully charge
Faulty charge
voltage disconnect
Inadequate current flow to
controller charge fully charge
setting
Voltage loss No power from array going into
batteries
Faulty blocking
overnight even when
diode Less power from array
no loads are on going into batteries

Voltage Increasing Controller not in full

very slowly even charge, stuck in float
when no loads are on charge Array output reduced

Otherwise faulty
charge controller

Loose corroded or
Reduce load size or Close switch, reset circuit
breaker, or replace fuse
Increase system size Replace diode

Repair or replace
Repair or damaged wiring
Insulate battery enclosure
replace
batteries
controller
Add distilled water Remove source of shading,
replace module or correct
Repair or module orientation
Adjust settings or repair or replace charge replace
controller batteries
controller

Adjust settings or repair or replace charge

controller

Wiring too long or

Voltage reduced
undersized Increase wire size
Faulty or misplaced
Voltage just above Charge controller Repair, replace or
temperature probe or thinks batteries are reposition probe
charge resumption
cooler than their Reset controller dial or
poor connection at
actual temperature replace controller
setting but controller
“battery sense”
not charging
terminals on charge
batteries
controller

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Table 8-5: Batteries that will not accept a charge

Symptom Cause Result Action

No apparent battery Load too large, on too and Battery
straps is always at a
low state of charge
defect long or Inadequate sun
Overcharging
High water loss Overcharging Heat damage to plates
Specific gravity and
and separators
temperature too high for
Electrolyte leakage Broken, leaking
Sulphation, lead
too long
shorts container sulfate
Too many shallow
Muddy electrolyte
charging cycles
material, shorts Age Shedding of plate
between plates
Discolored or Contaminated
odorous electrolyte electrolyte Battery failure

Undercharging, usually Sulphation, possibly

lead sulfate shorts
without adding water between plates

Left uncharged too long

Sulphation, or plates
hard when scratched
Cracked partition
Discharge between
between cells
adjacent Replace
battery cells
Hammering cable
connections on to Shorts between terminal
post strap and plates,
terminal posts
electrolyte leak
Misaligned plates and
No symptoms other Treeing shorts between
than not accepting a separators bottoms of plates

charge Plate material carried to Mossing shorts between

tops of plates
top of plates

Shorts between plates Grid top broken and

moved upward to strap.
Lead rundown from strap to plate Reduce load Replace battery
size or Increase
Disintegration of positive plates system size
Replace battery
Replace battery,
Soft negative plates repair or replace
charge controller

Cracked negative plates

Replace

battery

Replace

battery

Replace

battery

Replace

battery

Replace

battery

Replace

battery

Replace battery

Replace battery

Replace battery

Replace battery

Replace

battery
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Table 8-6: Batteries with high voltage

Symptom Cause Result Action

Voltage only slightly Faulty or misplaced
above charge termination temperature probe or
setting Faulty or poor connection at
nonexistent “battery sense”
charge terminals on charge
controller
controller

Battery storage
too small for
array

Voltage over
charge
termination Misadjust
setting and/or ed charge
high water loss
controller

Mismatched
battery and
voltage
regulator

Batteries are cold

and charge
controller has
temperature
compensation

High water loss Batteries are too

hot

Infrequent
maintenance
 Replace with charge
Shortened battery
controller with lower
life, possible
charge termination
damage to loads
setting

Shortened battery
life, possible
Install more batteries
damage to loads
and batteries

Shortened battery
life, possible
damage to loads
and batteries Adjust charge controller

Shortened battery
life, possible Replace charge
damage to loads controller, or change
and batteries setting on adjustable
units
Shortened battery
life, possible Insulate batteries, or
damage to loads move to warm
environment
Voltage at which
gassing starts is Insulate battery
lower than normal enclosure, and /or
provide ventilation
Low water levels,
battery damage Shorten maintenance
interval
Charge controller
thinks batteries are
warmer than their Repair, replace, or
actual temperature reposition probe
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Table 8-7: Charge controllers

Mismatched battery and
Battery voltage just voltage regulator
Symptom Cause
above charge
termination setting, but Controller always in full
Battery voltage controller still charging Faulty charge
below charge resumption charge, never in float
batteries charge
resumption setting function in charge
controller
Faulty or misplaced
Battery voltage
temperature probe or poor
just below charge Faulty or
connection at "battery
resumption setting, misplaced
sense" terminals on charge
but controller not Buzzing relays temperature probe
controller
charging batteries or poor connection
at "battery sense"
Battery voltage terminals on Too few batteries in
below low voltage charge controller series
Erratic controller
disconnect setting Loose or corroded
operation and/or loads
Faulty low battery connections
being
Battery voltage are voltage cut-off in
low overnight even charge controller Low batter voltage
when no loads are
Faulty blocking Timer not synchronized
ON diode, no diode or with actual time of day
faulty charge
Battery voltage controller
not increasing
even when no Old or faulty
loads are on and batteries
system is charging

Otherwise faulty
charge controller

Battery voltage over Faulty or non

charge termination existing charge
setting and/or high controller
water loss

Misadjusted
charge
controller
 See table 7-4 for more Repair, replace or
information reposition temperature
Result Action probe or change charge
Controller turn on and controller
off at wrong times Repair, readjust
Excessive battery
or replace charge Reconfigure or add
discharge. batteries
controller

Charge controller Repair or replace cables

thinks batteries are
cooler than their Repair, Repair or replace
actual temperature reposition or batteries
replace
probe Either wait until
Excessive battery automatic reset nest day
discharge or disconnect array wait

Reverse current flow Repair or replace

at night, discharging charge controller
battery

Batteries self Replace or add

diode, or repair
discharging
or replace series
relay charge
controller
No power from array
going into batteries
Replace batteries

Shorten battery life,

possible damage to Repair, replace
loads and batteries charge
controller
Shorten battery life,
possible damage to
loads and batteries Repair or replace
charge controller
Shorten battery life,
possible damage to
and possibly
loads and batteries batteries

Shorten battery life, Repair or replace

possible damage to charge controller
loads and possibly
batteries
Charge controller
thinks batteries are Change charge
cooler than their controller or
actual temperature change setting on
adjustable units

Repair or replace
Voltage is low charge controller
High voltage drop and possibly
batteries
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Fuse to load blows

Short circuit in load

disconnected Current draw of load too

improperly high for charge controller

Surge current draw of

Electrical load too high for charge
"noise" from the controller
inverter
Normal operation for some
"Charging" at night charge controller upto two
Low battery hours after dark
voltage Faulty or
misplaced
temperature probe Timer not synchronized
or poor
with actual time of day
connection at
"battery sense"
terminals on
charge controller.

High surge from

Erratic controller load
operation and/or
Otherwise faulty
improper load charge controller,
disconnection possibly from
lightning damage

Adjustable low
voltage disconnect
set incorrectly Load
switch in wrong
position on
controller

Charge
controller has
low voltage
disconnect
feature
Fuse to array blows

Array short
circuited with
batteries still
connected

Current output
of array too high
for charge
controller
 No appreciable Repair short circuit or
energy loss replace load
Reduce load size or
10seconds and Increase charge controller
Controller turn on and reconnect array size
off at wrong times
Connect inverter Reduce load size or
directly to Increase charge controller
Rapid on and batteries, put size
off cycling filters on load

Repair, replace Check the system later

System shutdown battery that night

Charge controller Either wait until

thinks batteries are
Repair, reposition
or replace automatic reset next day
cooler than their or disconnect array, wait
temperature probe
actual temperature 10 seconds and reconnect
or charge
controller
Battery voltage
drops during surge
Use large wire to
Loads disconnected load or add
improperly, other batteries in
erratic operation parallel

Loads disconnected Repair or replace

improperly charge controller
and check
Loads never system
grounding
disconnected

Reset low voltage

Loads never setting
disconnected
Reset switch to
correct position
Too much
current through If necessary
charge controller replace charge
controller with
Too much one with a low
current through voltage
charge controller disconnect
feature
Unlimited current
Disconnect
batteries when
Too much testing array's
current through short circuit
charge controller current

Too much Replace charge

current through controller with
charge controller one with a higher
rating
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Table 8-8: Inverters

Symptom Cause Result Action

Switch, fuse or circuit No power can move Close switch, replace or
breaker open, blown through inverter reset fuse or circuit
or tripped or wiring breaker or repair wiring or
broken or corroded connections
Low voltage disconnect
on inverter or charge
controller open Allow batteries to recharge
No power available
to inverter
Time delay on inverter
Wait a few seconds after
start-up from idle
Few seconds delay starting loads
No output from the after starting load
inverter Connect load to batteries
and operate it long enough
High battery voltage
to bring down battery
disconnect on
voltage. Adjust high voltage
inverter open
disconnect on charge
Inverter does not
controllers
start
Change to DC motors or use
Square wave inverters with quasi-sine or
inverter used sinusoidal waveform
Harmonics of wave
form rejected as heat Reduce size or loads or
Excessive current replace inverter with one of
draw by load large capacity
Motors running hot Voltage from
inverter too low for
load

Loads operating
Motors operating at
improperly wrong speeds Square wave inverter used
Inverter DC circuit
breaker trips
Defective inverter
Inverter circuit
breaker trips
Inverter not equipped with
frequency control
 Change to DC
Load operating or Load operate motors or use
improperly inverters with
surge current too quasi-sine or
high sinusoidal
Load do not operate waveform

Replace inverter
AC frequency varies
Inverter with battery voltage Replace inverter
capacitors not with one
charged up on equipped with
initial start up Excessive current frequency
draw by load control

Reduce size of
loads or replace
inverter with one
Excessive current of larger capacity
draw by inverter
Install momentary
contact switch
and 15ohm, 50
watt resistor in
parallel with the
circuit breaker,
use it for a few
seconds to charge
capacitors on first
start up

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Table 8-9: Solar arrays

Symptom Cause Result Action

Switches, fuses or circuit Close switches, replace

No current breaker open, blown or No current can fuses, reset circuit
from array tipped or wiring broken flow from array breakers, repair or replace
or corroded damaged wiring

Drop in
Some modules shaded Repair source of shading
output current
Some array
Drop in Repair interconnections
interconnections broken output current

or corroded
Drop in
output current Repair defective diodes
Defective bypass
or blocking diode Drop in
output current Replace affected modules
Some modules
damage or defective
Array voltage low Drop in
output current
Wait for sunny weather
Full sun not available Drop in Wash modules
Modules are dirty output current
Correct tilt and/or
Array tilt or orientation Drop in orientation
incorrect output current
Close switches, replace
Switches, fuses or circuit fuses, reset circuit
breaker open, blown or No power can breakers, repair or replace
tipped or wiring broken move from array damaged wiring
or corroded
No voltage from
array

Some modules in series

with others disconnected Drop in array Repair, replace modules,
or bypass diode defective
voltage connections or diodes
Array voltage low Wiring from array to
balance of system
undersized or too long Drop in array Reduced undersized
voltage wiring

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8.11 Instructions to the Trainer for chapter 8

Objective of the session:

The objective of the session is to make a technician capable of doing regular operation and
maintenance of a solar microgrid system and components using appropriate tools and
equipments. The technician must also capable to address troubleshooting and repair of a
solar microgrid system at system level.

Instruction method:

This session will be delivered through the following methods:

(1) Power point presentation and video clips on O&M and troubleshooting

(2) Demonstration and practical use of tools and equipments required for O&M

(3) Practical and demonstration on preventive maintenance of module and batteries

(4) Provide access to the troubleshooting mobile app and practice on using the app

(5) All practical sessions will be conducted in a group of not more than 5 persons.
Separate sets of tools and equipments or facilities will be provided to each group.

Underpinning knowledge of the Trainer:

The trainer for this session must have knowledge and experience on the following:

 The applicable standards for design, installation and safety of solar microgrid
system.

 Preventive and scheduled maintenance and Dos and Don’ts

 Use of all tools and equipments required for O&M and troubleshooting

 Use of mobile app to address troubleshooting
Questions and Quizzes:

1. Name few tools and equipments required for O&M and troubleshooting.

2. How often do you need to clean the solar modules and what time of the day you
will clean them?

3. How often batteries require topping up and what type of water you will use?

4. During inspection you observe that state of charge of the batteries are very low for
long period. What might be the reason and how do you diagnose it?

5. How do you check if modules are working satisfactorily?

6. How often and what you will check in distribution system?

7. What might be the consequence of shorting the batteries and how will you
avoid that?

8. What are the safety resources required for battery maintenance?

9. What is catalytic recombination cap/ ceramic vent plug and how it is fixed?

10. What are the sequence of inspection if the loads in the micro-grid system is not
working properly?

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 Installation, Operation & Maintenance of Solar PV Microgrid Systems

- A Handbook for Trainers

CHAPTER 9
9 Operation & maintenance of microgrid system (commercial)

9.1 Day-to-day operations

A microgrid facility runs smoothly on the freely available sunshine. Power thus generated is
distributed over a small distance from the battery bank to households. The number of hours
for which the power is supplied may vary between 5-8 hours per day. Each household gets
lighting via the highly energy efficient light emitting diodes. These are expected to last for up
to 50,000 hours. LED lighting brings down the power consumption by as much as 90%. Each
household gets between 2-4 such lamps besides a charging point for the mobile phone. This
is the way a typical village based micro grid operates on a daily basis. Rural electrification
committee may help in running a micro grid alongside the entrepreneur and franchise
company.

Microgrid presents a wholesome opportunity to take up the following few types of business
activities. All of these however, may not be exactly fit to locate closest to the microgrid
facility.

 Small businesses like grocery shops


 Weaving and crafting

 Mobile money transfer outlets

 Water pumping for micro irrigation

 Poultry firms

 Automatic teller machines (ATM)

 Mobile communication towers

  Petrol Pumps

 Computer kiosk

 Rice huller and thresher

 Flour and spice milling machines

9.2 Maintaining service manual

A service manual is kept at the micro grid facility. It list the steps needed to keep the facility
in a good condition. There are different types of service manuals such as a) instructional
manual, b) repair manual and c) record manual. It is very important to maintain a service
manual which may include information under the following few heads mainly:

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 Installation, Operation & Maintenance of Solar PV Microgrid Systems

- A Handbook for Trainers

 Type of system installed


 Key components of the system

 Brief function of each such component

 Technical details i.e. specifications of these components

 Operating principle of the system

 Reference values of key parameters

 Do’s and Don’ts

9.3 Billing and revenue collection

Micro-grids use different revenue models. These models take into account the daily
electricity consumption. Users choose one such model out of many. There is a choice of
buying the electricity in advance. It is much like the pre-payment facility for the mobile
phones. Electricity that is used by each user is kept track of. On the basis of which, billing
amount is worked out. Electricity fees is thus collected from the users on a regular basis. At
present, multiple models and tools such as the pre-payment and digital meters are being made
use of. This brings down the cost of transaction and increases payment rates and revenues. In
totality the billing together with revenue collection forms a very important part of a solar
micro grid in India.

Table: Record of Revenue Collection from the beneficiaries of Solar Micro Grid at-----------

A: Fixed Type Load

Sl. Customer Daily Load under Monthly payment Monthly Amount

No. ID use fixed Paid

1
2
 3
4

B: Non-fixed type Load

Sl. Customer Daily Energy No. of units Total monthly

No. ID Consumption consumed amount due

1
2

4
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