Harnessing AI and advanced digital tools to enhance solar efficiency, predict maintenance needs, and integrate renewables seamlessly into the grid for a sustainable energy future.
Cinzia Colosimo
Europe is currently facing a historic challenge, as its strong dependence on energy imports from other countries is becoming a critical issue, both economically and in terms of the union’s security. For this reason, improving the efficiency of photovoltaic systems is emerging as a key strategy for the entire European economy. In this context, the growth of solar energy is reshaping non only the European, but the entire global energy landscape. A 2019 Science article predicted that the photovoltaic sector could reach 30 to 70 TW by 2050, making solar the dominant global electricity source. This potential is driven by decreasing costs and the urgent need to address
climate change. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has emphasized that digital technologies, data, and automation are crucial for optimizing renewable energy systems. Against this backdrop, the “Digitalising the photovoltaic sector for the era of Terawatts” (PVOP) project aims to propel the photovoltaic industry at a higher efficiency level thanks to the integration of digital technologies. By leveraging advanced digital tools and data analytics, PVOP addresses the technical and operational challenges of expanding solar power to meet global energy needs.
Revolutionizing the photovoltaic industry
With €7.6 million in EU funding, the PVOP project is creating a digital ecosystem for the photovoltaic industry. Coordinated by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), the project is part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 program. Starting on May 1, 2024, and ending on April 30, 2027, PVOP focuses on developing eight innovative solutions to improve photovoltaic system performance by 4.7%, reduce operation and maintenance (O&M) costs by 32%, and improve integration with storage systems.
Starting from analyzing over 11GW of real-world PV system data using AI and big data PVOP project aims to identify system failures. The validation of the project’s solutions will be conducted both in controlled environments and real photovoltaic systems, with 30 key performance indicators (KPIs) used to monitor progress. The goal is to provide solutions that enhance long-term reliability and help meet EU renewable energy targets.
One of PVOP’s primary objectives is to create a digital ecosystem that improves the performance and sustainability of photovoltaic systems. By integrating digital tools like AI, machine learning, and blockchain, PVOP will optimize processes across the entire solar energy life-cycle, from installation to operation and maintenance. It aims to create an intelligent, automated system for real-time monitoring, analysis, and management of photovoltaic plants to boost efficiency. The project will also focus on predictive maintenance, allowing for early detection of performance issues and reducing downtime. Furthermore, digitalization will enable better integration of solar power into the grid by improving energy forecasting and distribution, which is crucial for meeting future energy goals. As global demand for solar energy increases, PVOP’s solutions will provide the tools needed to efficiently manage large-scale PV systems under a long-term perspective.
Collaboration across Europe
The PVOP project brings together diverse partners from across Europe. Aeroprotechnik – Aerial Engineering from Portugal uses drones to capture high-resolution data and inspect large PV systems. ASIC XXI S.L. from Spain develops digital platforms to optimize PV system operations. Wattkraft GMBH & Co Kg from Germany ensures the compatibility of PVOP’s digital tools with high-performance solar products. Qualifying Photovoltics from Spain ensures the reliability and scalability of digital solutions for large-scale plants. Revolve Planet in Belgium brings expertise in sustainable energy, while Fundingbox Accelerator Sp Zoo from Poland offers financial support and strategic guidance. FundingBox Communities in Spain fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing to ensure the results of PVOP are widely disseminated.
PVOP aims to transform the photovoltaic industry by leveraging digital technologies to optimize performance, scalability, and integration of solar energy systems. Continuous real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and better integration of solar energy into national grids will help meet the growing global demand for clean energy. By improving efficiency and sustainability, PVOP will contribute to the widespread integration between digital technologies and renewable energy. This project represents a key step in ensuring that solar energy can meet the energy challenges of the 21st century, ultimately contributing to a low-carbon, sustainable energy future for all.
