10 Key Strategies for Mitigating the Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Large-Scale Solar Plants

Climate change is an undeniable reality, manifesting through increasingly frequent and severe weather events that cause significant personal and material damage. On April 16, 2024, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, leading to extensive flooding and infrastructure damage. In response, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) committed AED 2 billion ($545 million) to rebuild affected homes. These extreme weather events also adversely affected renewable energy assets, highlighting the need to address risks. In solar plants and enhance their resilience against such events.

The WMO reports a five-fold increase in weather-related disasters over the past 50 years, and GCube Insurance Services highlights that 70% of solar economic claims in the last decade occurred since 2017. This underscores the vulnerability of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to extreme weather. The Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region, warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, is particularly affected. Projections indicate future warming, decreased precipitation, and more severe weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and dust storms. Such changes will critically affect various socio-economic sectors in the region.

Approximately 50% of solar PV claims arise from weather-related events, accounting for 80% of insurance claim values. The increasing severity and frequency of storms, high wind speeds, and hail need adequate mitigations to reduce damage, although no location is entirely risk-free. 

Specifically in Middle East projects with the threat of ramping wind speeds in shorter intervals, PVH understood that it was important to priorities safety of the tracking system during operations. With the latest tracking system, AxoneDuo infinity can go to stow in less than 2 mins which in the fastest possible time in the industry. In addition, the tracker can withstand increase in wind speeds, even if the directionality of the wind changes, as the stowing position can withstand both the pressure and suction forces making this an unparalleled technique to improve resilience and robustness. 

Here are 10 Key Strategies for Mitigating the Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Large-Scale Solar PV Plants:

1. Advanced Weather Forecasting and Monitoring:

• Utilize advanced weather forecasting systems (weather intelligence) for short, medium, and long term (Nowcasting and Forecasting) to anticipate extreme weather events such as hurricanes and storms.
• Predict wind events with real-time data using sensors and forecasting subscriptions.
• Install weather monitoring stations on-site to provide real-time data on temperature, wind speed, hail, humidity, and solar radiation.

2. Data Monitoring, Sensors, Remote Control, and Advanced AI-Enabled Control Systems:

Implement remote monitoring and control systems to assess the status of the PV plant in real-time and adjust as needed during extreme weather events based on forecasts, sensor information, and AI-ML model outcomes.

3. PV Tracker Systems Designed and Manufactured to Meet High Standards:

The tracking systems’ reliability must be increased through high manufacturing standards and strict control of the entire supply chain material quality. Regionally located factories support project customization and quick reaction times.

4. Stow and Lock Mechanisms:

Implement specific stow and lock strategies to secure the tracker system in an optimal position during extreme weather events, preventing panels from exposure to excessive wind forces or hail damage.

Features include less than 5 minutes to stow position and LoRa Wireless Technology for multicast to all controllers simultaneously. Emergency manual option is also available.

5. Compatibility of Tracking Systems and Modules:

Issues with large format PV modules, such as glass cracking under minimal wind stress, highlight the challenges posed by the trend towards thinner, larger modules. These modules, often made with thinner glass, are more prone to mechanical failure under tension due to microscopic flaws. 

6. Solar Panel Quality and Maintenance:

Use high-quality solar panels designed to withstand extreme conditions. Implement a regular maintenance schedule to inspect and clean panels, ensuring optimal efficiency.

7. Insurance and Risk Assessment:

Work with insurers to assess the risks associated with extreme weather events and ensure the solar plant is adequately insured.

8. Emergency Response Plan:

Develop an emergency response plan outlining procedures for shutting down the solar plant during extreme weather threats. Train staff on safety protocols and evacuation procedures.

• Pre-Storm Measures: Perform torque audits, power down components, remove debris, and secure loose materials.
• Post-Storm Measures: Dry and clean electrical systems, perform torque audits, test for electrical faults, replace damaged systems before re-energizing, and use drones for damage assessment.

9. Use Natural Landscaping Techniques:

Implement natural landscaping to reduce erosion, control runoff, and provide windbreaks that protect the solar farm from extreme weather effects.

10. Robust Structural Design:

Ensure that the structural design of the PV plant can withstand extreme weather conditions. This includes:

• Using wind-resistant mounting systems and racks that can endure high wind speeds and heavy loads.
• Designing structures to be more resilient against hail impacts and flooding.
• Conducting regular structural assessments and reinforcements as needed to maintain the integrity of the PV plant infrastructure.
• The specific strategies chosen will depend on the location and the types of extreme weather events most likely to occur in that region. Regular monitoring, maintenance, and preparedness are crucial for ensuring the long-term success of large-scale solar PV plants in areas prone to extreme weather.
• It is also essential to test all solar structures in controlled conditions like wind tunnels before deployment. These tests evaluate pressure, torsional and aeroelastic instability, and site-specific conditions, helping to improve the design and resilience of solar energy systems against extreme weather. By understanding and implementing such strategies, the reliability and sustainability of solar energy systems can be enhanced amidst changing climate conditions.

Solar tracker manufacturer PV Hardware (PVH) has implemented these measures in its design and construction protocols to ensure the safety and proper functioning of its projects. They perform strict tests in wind tunnels and cooperate with module partners to provide additional mechanical strength for larger modules integrated with their trackers. PVH has also redefined the monitoring and weather forecast conditions with ProInsights SCADA for remote monitoring, control, analysis and maintenance of any solar tracking system, a central plant control station (TBox) that integrates a weather station with wind and other weather sensors and communicates with the trackers so that they move to a stow position as quickly as possible, and DBox5, the ultimate tracker control device that redefines efficiency equipped with state-of-the-art technology and innovative design. 

The following are two examples of successful solar plants built by PVH in extreme conditions that have been operating correctly for more than 5 years. The Bangalore & Pamas PV Plants are two 5 & 30 MWp projects in India. The uniqueness of these plants is that they are designed to never go to stow.​ The maximum wind speed is 44 [AC1] m/s, and this is also the operational wind speed for the plant’s common activity. This plant has been in operation since 2018 and hasn´t shown signs of failure.

Mont Choisy PV Plant in Mauritius is a 2 MWp plant constructed near a coastal area. It is designed with a maximum wind speed of 44 [AC1] m/s to withstand cyclones and coastal area exposure.​ It has been operational since 2017 and has never stopped operating.