10 Ways to Improve Low Power Output｜Checkpoints to Prevent Losses

Table of Contents

• Overview to check first when power generation is low

• Improvement measure 1: Check power generation data by time of day

• Improvement measure 2: Separate solar irradiance from weather variations

• Improvement measure 3: Check panel surfaces for dirt and deposits

• Improvement measure 4: Remove shading caused by weeds and trees

• Improvement measure 5: Compare anomalies among strings

• Improvement measure 6: Investigate faults in connectors and cables

• Improvement measure 7: Check shutdown history and curtailment of power conversion equipment

• Improvement measure 8: Review temperature rise and inadequate ventilation

• Improvement measure 9: Reduce recurrence factors caused by poor drainage and terrain changes

• Improvement measure 10: Manage inspection records linked to location information

• Operational points for sustaining power generation improvements

• Summary

The overall picture to check first when power generation is low

When you feel that the power output of a solar power system is low, the first thing you need to do is avoid assuming a single cause. A decline in generation can result from multiple overlapping factors such as weather, solar irradiance, panel soiling, shading, equipment shutdowns, poor connections, output curtailment, temperature increases, poor drainage, and insufficient maintenance. Even a plant that looks fine to the eye may show a drop in output confined to a particular area when analyzed by time of day or by individual equipment. Conversely, output that appears low may not indicate a system fault once weather conditions are taken into account.

For someone in operations searching "how to increase power generation," the important thing is not simply to boost output but to check whether you're losing power that should be generated. In solar power generation, you cannot increase the sunlight itself at the site. However, you can reduce generation losses by keeping surfaces exposed to sunlight clean, reducing shading, ensuring the paths for extracting electricity function properly, and maintaining equipment so it does not stop. When generation is low, the remedial work is to find and eliminate these generation losses.

When checking for a drop in power generation, it is important not to look only at the monthly total. Monthly generation is greatly affected by the weather, so simply comparing it with last month or the same month of the previous year can lead to incorrect conclusions. By reviewing the generation curve on clear days, declines by time of day, differences between systems under the same conditions, and the history of alarms and shutdowns together, you can identify the likely direction of the cause. Before conducting an on-site inspection, organizing which time periods, which area, and which equipment are showing decreases will improve the accuracy of the inspection.

Also, it is not necessarily best to implement all improvement measures at once. If cleaning, weeding, repairs, equipment inspections, and drainage countermeasures are performed simultaneously, it becomes difficult to tell which measure was effective even if power generation recovers. In practice, an effective workflow is to first narrow down the range of anomalies using power generation data, confirm the causes on site, and then compare power generation again after the measures. By establishing this workflow, improving power generation becomes a reproducible management task rather than work that relies solely on intuition and experience.

Improvement Measure 1: Check power generation data by time of day

When power generation is low, the first thing you should check is the generation data by time of day. Daily or monthly totals alone don't tell you when output is falling. Whether it's only low in the morning, the midday peak fails to develop, it suddenly drops only in the evening, or there's an unnatural dip even on sunny days, the suspected causes will differ. To increase generation, it's important to first identify the times when generation losses occur.

If power generation is low in the morning, shadows from trees, buildings, slopes, or equipment on the east side may be involved. If power generation is low in the evening, check for shadows to the west and shadows from surrounding structures. If power generation around noon does not reach expected levels, possible causes include soiling of the panel surface, equipment capacity limits, output curtailment, the effects of high temperature, or equipment shutdowns. If the generation curve suddenly drops during a sunny day, it is necessary to cross-check with shutdown and alarm histories.

When examining by time of day, it's important not to judge based only on cloudy or rainy days. On days with unstable weather, power generation can fluctuate greatly due to cloud movement, making it difficult to distinguish from equipment faults. Choose clear-sky days as much as possible, and compare installations under similar conditions within the same power plant. Lining up the generation curves of installations with the same orientation, the same tilt, and a similar number of panels makes it easier to identify the range with abnormalities.

When reviewing power generation data, treat sudden drops and gradual declines separately. Sudden drops may indicate equipment shutdowns, cable breaks, poor connections, or the appearance of obstructions. Gradual declines may be related to accumulation of dirt, growth of weeds or trees, aging-related degradation, or environmental deterioration due to poor drainage. Simply by examining how the power output falls, you can narrow down and prioritize the locations that need inspection.

Making time-of-day checks a habit can greatly improve the efficiency of on-site inspections. Instead of aimlessly walking around the entire power plant, if output is low in the morning focus on the east side, if it’s low in the evening focus on the west side, and if it’s low at midday focus on equipment, temperature, and dirt. The first step to increasing power generation is not simply seeing that output is low, but understanding when, where, and how it is low.

Improvement Measure 2: Separate Solar Radiation and Weather Variations

One factor that is easy to overlook when generation is low is the impact of solar irradiance and weather variability. Solar power generation is highly dependent on solar irradiance, so during periods with many cloudy or rainy days output will decline even if there are no equipment faults. If you judge that “generation has dropped” based only on monthly output, the actual cause may have been the weather. Before considering remedial measures, it is necessary to distinguish whether the issue lies with the plant or is a natural fluctuation due to weather.

When checking for weather-related differences, a simple comparison with the same month of the previous year is not sufficient. If the same month last year had continuous sunny weather and this month this year has continuous cloudy weather, a lower power generation output is to be expected. When making comparisons, it is effective to compare sunny days with sunny days, days with similar weather conditions, or the generation trends within the same region. If you manage multiple power plants, checking whether other plants in the same region are experiencing a similar decline makes it easier to determine whether the cause is weather-related or equipment-related.

At the same time, you must avoid overlooking equipment anomalies by attributing them to the weather. If nearby power plants or other units within the same plant are generating as usual while only some units are underperforming, you should suspect a problem on the equipment side. Even on days with bad weather, differences between units under similar conditions can be identified. By distinguishing whether output is low across the board or only in certain parts, you can reduce unnecessary work and focus on the locations that truly need inspection.

To separate the effects of solar irradiance, the shape of the generation curve is also useful. Weather-driven variations often cause output to rise and fall with passing clouds, and multiple installations tend to show similar behavior. In contrast, equipment shutdowns or connection faults may cause only a specific installation to drop suddenly or remain near zero for a period of time. Shading effects can produce similar dips at the same time of day each day. Reading the shape of the curve makes the direction for on-site inspection clear.

In practice, it is not easy to completely separate weather-related factors from equipment-related factors. However, simply following the basics—using clear-sky days as a baseline, comparing with equipment under the same conditions, checking by time of day, and cross-referencing with on-site photos—greatly improves decision accuracy. To increase power generation, it is important first to determine whether the decline is truly something that can be improved on the equipment side. If this separation is not made, you may end up spending time on actions that have little effect.

Improvement Measure 3: Check for dirt and deposits on the panel surface

Dirt on the panel surface is a basic item that should always be checked when power output is low. Because solar panels receive sunlight on their surface, dirt and deposits reduce the light reaching the cells and lower power generation. Causes of soiling include soil dust, pollen, yellow sand, bird droppings, fallen leaves, sap, exhaust-derived dust, dust from nearby construction, and deposits from sea breezes. Since the way panels become soiled varies with site conditions, it is important to understand the tendencies for each power plant.

Particularly noteworthy are the streaks of dirt that remain at the lower edges of panels and around the frames. It is often assumed that rain will naturally wash them away, but in reality dirt can be left at the edges after rainwater has flowed. On panels with a shallow tilt, dirt and moisture are less likely to drain and tend to accumulate at the lower edge. Even if they appear small in area, by casting a shadow on some cells they may affect power generation.

Localized deposits such as bird droppings and fallen leaves should not be overlooked. Unlike dirt that spreads thinly across the entire surface, they densely cover specific areas and act as partial shading. If power generation data shows lower output for only some equipment, inspect the panel surfaces in that area on site. Dirt that is not visible from a distance may be concentrated at the edges or corners when viewed up close. During inspections, comparing how dirt accumulates by row, orientation, and surrounding environment makes it easier to identify the cause.

When conducting cleaning, prioritize locations that have the greatest impact on power output. Rather than cleaning all panels at the same frequency, it is more efficient to focus on rows with heavy dust, areas prone to bird damage, places where fallen leaves tend to accumulate, and equipment where a decline in power output has been confirmed. To enable comparison of power output before and after cleaning, record the work date, the scope of the work, the condition of the soiling, and post-work photographs; these records will aid decision-making for future maintenance.

However, cleaning is not only a task to improve power generation; it is also work that requires caution to avoid damaging equipment. Scrubbing with hard tools or performing sudden work during periods when panel temperatures are high can put strain on the surface and surrounding components. It is important to carry out cleaning after considering safety measures, work methods, and the time of day for the work. Adopting a perspective of keeping the equipment in stable, long-term use—not just removing dirt—will ultimately help maintain power output.

Improvement 4: Remove shadows cast by weeds and trees

When power output is low, checking for shadows is extremely important. In solar power generation, even if only part of a panel is shaded, the power output can drop significantly. Sources of shading include weeds, trees, fences, utility poles, surrounding buildings, mounting racks, adjacent rows of panels, signage, and monitoring equipment. Because shadows change with the time of day and the season, the absence of visible shading at the time of inspection does not necessarily mean there is no problem.

Weeds are a factor that frequently affects power generation in practical operations. Grass that was low in winter or immediately after installation can grow rapidly from spring to summer, casting shadows on the lower edge of the panels and on the front rows. Even if the grass itself does not touch the panels, when the sun’s altitude is low in the morning and evening the shadows lengthen and can reduce power output. Furthermore, when weeds become overgrown they impair ventilation, obstruct inspection pathways, and can become habitats for pests and insects.

The shadows cast by trees are a long-term issue that requires attention. Even trees that had little impact at the time of installation can grow over several years and begin to affect power generation. Trees on the south, east, and west sides in particular cast shadows on the panels at different times of day. At solar plants located near forests or on slopes, the combined height of the terrain and the trees can create long shadows in winter. If generation is low only during winter, or if there are large drops in the morning and evening, it is necessary to check the surrounding trees together with the terrain.

When addressing shading issues, it is effective to synchronize power generation data with the timing of on-site inspections. If generation drops in the morning, check the on-site conditions in the morning; if it drops in the evening, observe the evening shadows. Even if a noon inspection shows no problems, large shadows may appear in the morning or evening. Also, even if there are no issues in summer, shadows can lengthen in seasons with lower solar elevation. During regular inspections, it is important to be aware of seasonal changes in shading and to record them.

When performing weeding and pruning, prioritize the areas that have the greatest impact on power generation. Rather than simply making the entire site look tidy, focus on the front of the panels, around equipment, access ways, and directions where shadows are likely to extend. After work, check whether shadows have been eliminated, ventilation has improved, and inspections have become easier. Shadow mitigation to increase power generation is not completed in a single operation; ongoing management that accounts for the growth of grass and trees is necessary.

Improvement 5: Compare anomalies for each string

When power generation is low, it's important to look for anomalies not only in the overall plant figures but also at the finest possible granularity. Even if the total generation doesn't show a major anomaly, the output of a subset of strings may be reduced. If left unaddressed, these localized declines will continue to cause generation losses over long periods. To raise generation, you need to focus on identifying differences at the equipment and string levels, rather than relying on the overall average.

When comparing strings, compare those under the same conditions. If you simply compare units that differ in the number of panels, orientation, tilt, shading conditions, or connection configuration, you may mistakenly interpret differences that are not abnormal as faults. Compare with adjacent rows or installations with the same orientation and check whether any are consistently lower. If only a particular string has lower power output, possible causes include dirty panels, partial shading, poor connections, cable damage, or equipment-side faults.

Anomalies in a string can also show up in the power generation curve. If it is low only in the morning and evening, shading may be the cause. If it is consistently lower than the surroundings even on clear days, issues with the connections or the panels themselves are suspected. If it tends to drop after rain, it is necessary to check for moisture ingress and the condition of connection points. If it becomes unstable during periods of high ambient temperature, poor contact or the thermal environment around the equipment are also possible causes. Comparing the shape of the data with on-site conditions makes it easier to narrow down the cause.

When an abnormal string is found, it is important to be able to immediately pinpoint its on-site location. On sites where the management drawings and the actual equipment numbers are difficult to reconcile, it can take time to find the corresponding spot on site even when abnormal data exists. Managing equipment numbers, row numbers, location information, and photos together makes inspections and repairs smoother. To prevent a drop in power generation, you need not only to detect anomalies but also a management system that allows you to accurately reach the exact location on site.

Also, early detection of abnormalities at the string level is important. If small differences are left unaddressed, generation losses will accumulate. Furthermore, if poor connections or cable damage are involved, it can lead not only to reduced power generation but also to safety risks. When inspecting to increase power generation, it is important not to overlook partial abnormalities that appear in the data, as well as visible dirt or vegetation.

Countermeasure 6: Suspect Faults in Connectors and Cables

In solar power plants, even if the panels are functioning properly, power generation can decline if there are faults in the connections or cables. Causes that impede the flow of electricity include loose terminals, poor connector contact, damage to cable sheathing, moisture ingress, animals gnawing, contact during grass-cutting work, and deterioration due to aging. Because such issues can be difficult to detect by appearance alone, it is necessary to assess them by combining power generation data with on-site inspections.

Suspect a fault in the connections when only a specific area shows reduced power generation, when abnormalities are more likely after rain, when power generation suddenly drops, or when output fluctuates unpredictably. In particular, if a string remains clearly lower than another string under the same conditions, prioritize checking the connections and cables. If power generation is low despite no visible dirt or shading, an electrical fault should also be suspected.

The condition of cables is strongly influenced by the site environment. In areas with heavy weed growth, it becomes difficult to inspect cables, and they may be accidentally damaged during mowing. In locations with poor drainage, moisture and standing water can affect connections. At sites where animals can easily enter, cable damage can occur. It is important not to regard a decrease in power generation as merely an equipment malfunction, but to check it in conjunction with the site environment.

Inspections of connection points and cables must prioritize safety above all else. Because checks involving electrical equipment can include tasks that require specialized knowledge, on-site personnel should not attempt to handle them forcibly; instead, it is important to organize the extent of the anomaly, the time it occurred, changes in power generation, on-site photographs, and the surrounding environment, and then use that information to guide appropriate inspections. To increase power output, it is necessary not only to repair quickly but also to identify the cause correctly and safely.

A focus on preventing recurrence is also important. Even if you repair a fault at a connection point, if conditions remain that allow water to pool in the same spot, vegetation to overgrow, cables to be easily exposed, or make inspection difficult, the problem can recur. Recording where faults occurred and reviewing the surrounding environment helps achieve management that is less likely to see repeated declines in power generation. Measures to improve low power output should include both fixing the immediate anomaly and preventing the same anomaly from occurring again.

Improvement Measure 7: Verify the Shutdown History and Suppression of Conversion Equipment

The causes of low power generation are not limited to the panels and wiring. If the equipment that converts the generated electricity is stopped or its output is being limited, power generation will not increase even when solar irradiance is sufficient. When power generation is low, you must always check the conversion equipment's operating status, shutdown history, alarm history, and whether output curtailment is in effect.

When reviewing stoppage history, you check which equipment stopped, when, and for how long. Even short stoppages can cause large losses if they occur during periods of high power generation. If equipment repeatedly stops and restarts multiple times during the daytime, it may not be noticeable in the monthly totals, but it can still result in lost generation. Whether only specific equipment stops or multiple pieces of equipment stop simultaneously changes the scope of potential causes.

If output curtailment occurs, the power-generation curve on sunny days may level off. If solar irradiance is strong yet generation does not increase beyond a certain point, check the curtailment records and operation information. However, output curtailment is not the only cause of a flat-looking generation curve. Similar shapes can result from equipment capacity limits, temperature rise, soiling, shading, or measurement anomalies. Do not rely solely on the generation curve; it is important to confirm it together with records from the equipment side.

We also review the environment around the conversion equipment. Conditions such as weeds growing around the equipment, poor ventilation, exposure to direct sunlight or heat buildup, and a tendency for dust to accumulate can affect operating efficiency and the risk of shutdown. When power generation is low, check not only the panel surfaces but also the space around the equipment, access ways, ventilation, and cleanliness. Maintaining an environment in which the equipment can operate normally is fundamental to stabilizing power generation.

When checking shutdowns or curtailments, the important thing is to align the power generation data with the timestamps. If the time when generation dropped matches the time of an alarm or shutdown, it becomes easier to narrow down the cause. Conversely, if generation is low but there are no abnormalities in the equipment records, suspect other causes such as the panels, the wiring, shading, soiling, or irradiance conditions. To increase generation, make use of equipment-side records and choose improvement measures based on evidence rather than speculation.

Measure 8: Review temperature rise and inadequate ventilation

Solar power generation tends to increase with stronger solar irradiance, but it also has the characteristic that output drops as temperature rises. If, on a clear summer day, generation falls short of expectations, you should consider not only the irradiance but also the panel temperature and the temperature around the equipment. When checking the causes of low generation, temperature increases and poor ventilation are items that are often overlooked.

Because the panels are installed outdoors, their surface temperature rises when exposed to strong sunlight. If airflow around them is poor, or if weeds are growing densely under the panels, heat can become trapped. Temperature-related output decline is not easily seen as a sudden fault, so it may manifest as a slowdown in power generation growth. At sites where generation tends to plateau around noon in summer, it is particularly worthwhile to check the thermal environment.

Power conversion equipment is also affected by temperature. If there is grass or other items around the equipment that obstruct ventilation, it becomes difficult to dissipate heat. If the equipment is operating in a high-temperature environment, it may trigger protective actions or lead to reduced efficiency. When power output is low, check not only alarms from the equipment itself but also whether there are factors causing heat to become trapped around the equipment. Weed removal, cleaning, securing access paths, and checking for obstructions around the equipment are important for maintaining power output.

Loss of power generation due to temperature rise cannot be completely avoided. However, by improving site conditions you can reduce unnecessary temperature increases and poor heat dissipation. During inspections, check whether the grass under the panels has grown too high, whether there are wind paths around the racking, and whether there is dust or buildup around equipment. The effect of temperature is not a conspicuous cause like dirt or shading, but it is a factor that should be checked at sites where low power generation persists.

Also, when examining the effects of temperature, comparing across seasons is important. If there are no problems in winter but performance does not increase in summer, temperature or ventilation may be involved. Conversely, if output is low only in winter, suspect shading, solar altitude, snow cover, or surrounding terrain. When considering ways to increase power generation, it is important to change the checklist items based on the assumption that the main causes vary by season.

Improvement Measure 9: Reduce recurrence factors caused by poor drainage and terrain changes

The causes of low power generation are related not only to the generation equipment itself but also to the plant’s terrain and drainage. Locations where water tends to accumulate, areas where sediment flows in, paths prone to becoming muddy, slope failures, and scour around mounting racks can directly or indirectly lead to reduced power output. Poor drainage may at first appear to be unrelated to power generation, but it is an important factor that leads to soiling, weed growth, deterioration of connection points, and reduced ease of inspection.

In areas where puddles remain after rain, weeds tend to grow more easily. When weeds grow, they cause shading, reduce ventilation, and make inspections more difficult. Also, muddy walkways can delay work and lead to a lower frequency of cleaning and weeding. To prevent a decrease in power generation, it is necessary not only to maintain the equipment but also to keep the site environment in a condition that makes work easy and allows problems to be detected quickly.

Movement of soil and sediment also requires attention. On slopes and developed/graded land, rainwater can wash away the topsoil and cause soil to accumulate beneath panels. When soil and sediment build up around panels and cables, they can cause soiling and damage. If scouring occurs around the foundations of the mounting structures, it can affect the stability and tilt of the equipment. Even slight tilting or changes in elevation can affect inter-row shading and drainage flow.

When reviewing drainage and terrain, inspecting the site not only in fair weather but also after rain is useful. Check where water flows in, where it accumulates, and where it drains out. Recording puddles, sediment buildup, dense vegetation, subsidence of pathways, and changes to slopes will reveal locations prone to recurrence. If you only address dirt or shading when power output is low, but leave terrain or drainage problems unresolved, the same causes may repeat.

If you're considering improving power output over the long term, you should identify poor drainage and terrain changes early. Even if they don't immediately lead to a large recovery in output, reducing dirt, weeds, poor connections, and delayed inspections can suppress the recurrence of generation losses. Measures to address low power output should be considered not only to restore short-term figures but also to create sites that are less likely to decline.

Improvement Measure 10: Manage inspection records by linking them to location information

An essential part of efforts to increase power generation output is keeping inspection results on record and using them to drive subsequent improvements. Even if dirt, shadows, abnormalities, or poor drainage are found on site, if the exact location is not shared, implementing countermeasures or conducting rechecks takes time. In large power plants in particular, because similar rows and equipment are lined up, it can be difficult to identify the location from photos alone. By managing inspection records linked with location information, the practical work of improving power generation output can be greatly streamlined.

If records include location information, you can overlay power generation data with on-site conditions. If you can manage on a map the locations of strings with low output, places where shadows appear, areas where grass grows easily, places where water accumulates, equipment with frequent stoppages, and locations where cable damage has occurred, it becomes easier to see the relationships among causes. For example, if an area of low power generation overlaps with an area of poor drainage, you can determine that it is not merely an equipment fault but that a review of the site environment is necessary.

Including photos, date and time, equipment number, work performed, details of any abnormalities, the status of responses, and whether reinspection is necessary in inspection records is useful. However, if there are too many items to record, it becomes difficult to use in the field. The important thing is that when you look back later, you can tell where something happened and how it was handled. If you can recheck the same location when power output is low, it becomes easier to compare the effectiveness of improvements and whether issues have recurred.

Also, management using location information helps with sharing among stakeholders. If on-site staff, managers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel can accurately identify the same location, misunderstandings in explanations will be reduced. When explaining the causes of a drop in power output, if power output data, on-site photos, and location information are all available, it becomes easier to communicate the need for countermeasures. Improving power output is not only about noticing issues on-site but also about stakeholders being able to share the same information.

If inspection records are continuously accumulated, the weaknesses of each power plant become visible. You can identify trends such as weeds growing in the same spots every year, dirt accumulating in the same rows, the same walkway becoming muddy after rain, and recurring temperature or shutdown issues around the same equipment. Once these trends are understood, you can take proactive measures before power output declines rather than responding after problems occur. To increase power generation, it is important not to treat inspections as mere checks but to store them as information that can be used for improvement.

Operational Points for Sustaining Power Generation Improvements

Measures to improve low power generation are not something you do once and then finish. Solar power plants are outdoor facilities, and the seasons, weather, surrounding environment, and equipment condition are constantly changing. Even if you clean them, dirt will come back; even if you remove weeds, grass will regrow; trees will grow; and equipment becomes more prone to faults as it ages. To increase power generation, it is necessary to create a continuous management cycle rather than relying on one-off measures.

First, establish the criteria for evaluating power generation. Decide how often you will check generation, at what degree of decline you will carry out an on-site inspection, and down to which equipment unit you will make comparisons; doing so will speed up the detection of abnormalities. Relying solely on an individual staff member’s intuition can lead to oversights and inconsistent judgments. By standardizing the method for checking power generation data, you can manage multiple power plants with a consistent level of quality.

Next, compare the situation before and after the measures. After performing cleaning, weeding, repairs, equipment inspections, and drainage measures, check how power generation changed. Completely eliminating the influence of weather is difficult, but by comparing with installations under the same conditions or by comparing sunny days you can identify consistent trends. Prioritize measures that showed large effects going forward, and review the causes for measures whose effects were not apparent.

On-site management should prioritize items that have the greatest impact on power generation. Trying to solve all issues at once increases the workload and can push high-impact improvements to the back burner. Prioritize checking equipment that shows a clear decline in generation data, areas affected by shading, devices that repeatedly shut down, and locations suspected of connection faults. From there, expanding into improvements for recurring problems such as drainage, terrain, and inspection routes makes the work easier to carry out in practice.

It is also important to share improvement measures with the relevant parties. The causes of reduced power generation may not be fully determined by on-site staff alone. By having management, inspection, and repair personnel, as well as those involved in design and construction, share information, you can reduce the likelihood of overlooking causes. If power generation data, on-site photos, location information, and work history are all available, decisions on countermeasures can be made more quickly.

To continue improving power generation, it is essential to maintain a practice of continuously recording on-site changes. A power plant is not in the same condition every day. The way grass grows, how dirt accumulates, drainage flows, tree growth, and the environment around equipment change little by little. By not overlooking these small changes and linking them to power generation data, you can manage and prevent losses. Efforts to increase power generation are, in essence, operations of accurately understanding the plant’s condition and responding quickly to changes.

Summary

Measures to improve low power generation begin by isolating the causes in sequence. First, check the generation data by time of day and by equipment unit to determine where generation losses are occurring. Next, taking solar irradiance and weather variations into account, determine whether the decline can be remedied on the equipment side. Then check for panel surface soiling, shading from weeds or trees, abnormalities by string, faults in connections or cables, stoppage of conversion equipment or output curtailment, temperature rise, poor drainage, and insufficient inspection records.

To increase power generation, it's important not just to fix the most conspicuous spots, but to make decisions by linking generation data with on-site conditions. Simply cleaning because there is dirt or weeding because grass has grown can cause you to overlook locations that have a significant impact on power generation. By confirming which equipment is underperforming, at what times of day, and to what extent, identifying the causes on site, and verifying the effects after countermeasures, you can increase the accuracy of improvements.

Also, to prevent repeated declines in power output, it is important to manage the root causes of recurrence. In areas with poor drainage, weeds and dirt tend to return, and in locations that are difficult to inspect, detection of abnormalities is delayed. Faults in connectors and cables may also recur unless the surrounding environment is improved. Measures to address low power output should consider not only fixing the immediate faults but also creating a site environment that makes generation losses less likely.

To implement improvements in power generation in practice, it is essential to accurately record on-site conditions and have a system that allows stakeholders to share the same location information. If you record the locations where shadows occur, rows prone to soiling, places where puddles form, positions of abnormal strings, and repair histories together with location data, subsequent inspections and recurrence checks will be more efficient. Efforts to increase power output are effective when inspection, recording, analysis, countermeasures, and re-verification are connected.

If you want to manage on-site inspection results linked to highly accurate location information, using LRTK is also effective. As an iPhone-mounted GNSS high-precision positioning device, LRTK is useful for recording locations of shadows within solar power plants, areas with poor drainage, faulty equipment, inspection photos, and repair locations. To accurately identify the causes of low power generation and to continue implementing measures that prevent losses, it is important to keep site information together with its location. By using LRTK, on-site verification and record management necessary for improving power generation can be carried out more practically.