Reliability, availability and maintainability analysis for grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems

Photovoltaic solar technology is economically competitive, modular, and has a low environmental impact. The problem addressed is understanding how the reliability of components in a grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system impacts its performance. This review systematically explores the existing literature on the Performance indicators of solar PV systems. Through a structured search process in Scopus and Web of Science databases, a total of 292 references were found from which 21 were selected, organized into five main topics, and a base article was chosen to update knowledge with a practical and statistical approach. The literature review confirms that reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) are directly linked to solar PV system performance. Reliability Engineering techniques were applied to study trends, comparisons, and future system behavior. A RAM analysis was developed for seven practical solar PV system designs, using failure and repair rate data from the literature. The RAM study focused on three subsystems: Balance of System (BOS), photovoltaic modules (PV modules), and inverters. Results showed that while all three subsystems are reliable and available over 1 and 20-year periods, the inverter consistently had the lowest reliability and is therefore the most likely component to fail first. Furthermore, the study identifies gaps and proposes avenues for improvement, recommending a shift toward analysis approaches of Useful life Characterization techniques using Distribution ID and Overview Plot Analysis, multivariable analysis and incorporating the Weibull distribution into the study due to its special characteristics and typical bath tube curve for a predictive approach to decision-making that contributes to photovoltaic system performance.