For those who want to increase power generation｜10 causes and countermeasures to check

Table of Contents

• When you want to increase power generation, systematically isolate the causes in order

• Cause and Countermeasure 1: The way power generation data is viewed is too coarse, causing abnormalities to be missed

• Cause and Countermeasure 2: The impact of weather and solar irradiance conditions is being misjudged

• Cause and Countermeasure 3: Dirt and deposits on the panel surface are reducing the amount of light received

• Cause and Countermeasure 4: Generation losses are occurring due to shading from weeds or trees

• Cause and Countermeasure 5: Failing to detect abnormalities at the string level

• Cause and Countermeasure 6: Faults in connection points or cables are hindering power generation

• Cause and Countermeasure 7: Overlooking stoppages or output curtailment of power conversion equipment

• Cause and Countermeasure 8: Rising temperatures and poor ventilation make it difficult for output to increase

• Cause and Countermeasure 9: Poor drainage and terrain changes are contributing to recurring issues

• Cause and Countermeasure 10: Lack of inspection records and location information prevents continuous improvement

• Management approach to sustain improvements in power generation

• Summary

When you want to increase power output, isolate the causes in order

When aiming to increase power generation, the first important point is not to pin low output on a single cause. In solar power generation you cannot increase the solar irradiance itself at the site. However, you can move closer to a condition in which the received irradiance is converted into electricity with as little waste as possible. In other words, in practical terms, increasing power generation means finding the causes of electricity that should be generated but is being lost, and reducing those generation losses.

The causes of low power generation are often not discernible from appearance alone. A variety of factors can combine, such as dirt on the panel surface, deposits such as bird droppings and fallen leaves, shade from weeds or trees, string-level abnormalities, faults in connections, cable damage, shutdowns of conversion equipment, output curtailment, temperature rise, poor drainage, deterioration of inspection routes, and insufficient record-keeping. In the field, power generation can fall due to a single cause, but multiple small losses can accumulate and result in a large difference.

The first thing operational staff searching for "how to increase power generation" should check is how the power output is declining. Whether it's low only in the morning, only in the evening, whether the midday peak isn't reaching, whether it becomes unstable after rain, whether only certain equipment is underperforming, or whether the entire plant is underperforming will change the causes you need to investigate. Simply seeing that power output is low doesn't tell you whether you should clean, remove weeds, inspect equipment, or review drainage and topography.

To increase power generation, it is important to view data checks, on-site inspections, countermeasures, verification of effects, and record updates as a single process. Even if cleaning or weeding is performed, if the power output and on-site photos before and after the work are not retained, you will lack the information needed to make judgments when the same problem occurs next time. To prevent improvement effects from being only temporary, you must record what is happening on site and use that information for the next inspection and management decisions.

Also, wanting to increase power generation does not require immediately implementing large-scale measures. First, check the generation data by time of day and by system, and then on site review, in order: soiling, shading, connections, components, drainage, and inspection routes. By prioritizing responses to the causes that have the greatest impact on generation, you can more easily achieve improvements while avoiding unnecessary work. Below, we explain the 10 causes and countermeasures that people who want to increase power generation should check, presented in an order that is easy to use on site.

Cause and Countermeasure 1: A Coarse View of Power Generation Data Is Overlooking Anomalies

When you want to increase power generation, the first cause to check is that your way of viewing generation data is too coarse and you are overlooking anomalies. If you only look at monthly or annual generation, you cannot tell when, where, or how generation losses are occurring. Even if the monthly total does not look like a major anomaly, there may be periods on sunny days or specific pieces of equipment where generation continues to be depressed.

It is important to view power generation data broken down by time of day, by equipment unit, by day, and by season. If generation is low only in the morning, shading from trees, structures, or terrain on the east side is suspected. If it is low only in the evening, check for shading on the west side or the influence of nearby equipment. If the midday peak does not develop, candidates include dirt on the panel surface, temperature rise, limitations of conversion equipment, shutdowns, and output curtailment. If there is a sudden drop in the generation curve, you should cross-check alarm and stoppage histories against the time.

When comparing at the equipment level, it is important to compare units under the same conditions. If you simply compare installations with different numbers of panels, orientations, tilts, shading conditions, or connection configurations, you may mistake normal differences for anomalies. If only part of a system is consistently lower compared with adjacent rows or installations with the same orientation, you should suspect on-site causes such as soiling, shading, connection faults, cable damage, or equipment-side malfunctions.

As a countermeasure, it is effective to establish clear criteria for reviewing power generation data. Deciding how often to check the data, how large a deviation will trigger an on-site inspection, and down to which equipment unit to verify will enable earlier detection of anomalies. Relying solely on the intuition of personnel can lead to oversights and inconsistent judgments. By making it routine to check generation curves on sunny days, compare with equipment under the same conditions, and review shutdown histories, you will establish a foundation for improving power generation.

To increase power generation, it's important to use data to narrow your focus before any on-site work. Rather than aimlessly inspecting the entire power plant, identifying the time periods and equipment experiencing declines and then checking them on-site will help you find the cause more quickly. Streamlining how you view and analyze data is itself an important measure for improving power generation.

Cause and Countermeasure 2: Incorrectly Assessing the Impact of Weather and Solar Radiation Conditions

When power generation is low, what you should check before suspecting an equipment fault is the influence of weather and sunlight conditions. Solar power generation is greatly affected by the amount of sunlight, so during periods with many cloudy or rainy days, output can drop even if there are no equipment problems. If you compare only the monthly generation with the same month of the previous year or with the previous month and immediately conclude there is a fault, the real main cause may actually have been differences in the weather.

On the other hand, you must also avoid overlooking genuine anomalies by attributing them to the weather. If the entire plant is declining in the same way in line with regional weather, it can be considered that solar irradiance conditions are having a large effect. However, if other equipment in the same region or elsewhere in the same plant is operating normally while only some units are underperforming, the weather alone cannot explain it. In that case, you need to check for dirt, shading, poor connections, stoppage of conversion equipment, and output curtailment.

To isolate weather-related differences, comparing sunny days with other sunny days, days with similar weather, and power generation trends within the same region is effective. On cloudy or rainy days, power output fluctuates greatly due to cloud movement, making it difficult to distinguish from equipment anomalies. By selecting and comparing generation curves from sunny days, features such as shading, stoppages, curtailment, and abnormal strings become easier to identify.

Seasonality should also be considered. In winter, the sun's altitude is lower, causing shadows from nearby trees and terrain to extend further. In summer, while solar irradiance is stronger, panel and equipment temperatures rise, which can reduce output. During periods of heavy rainfall, monthly power generation tends to be lower, and after strong winds or heavy rain attention should be paid to soiling, sediment buildup, poor drainage, and the condition around cables.

As a countermeasure, record separately the natural fluctuations caused by weather and the generation losses that can be improved on site. For days with low power generation, review the weather, the generation curve, comparisons with other facilities, and the on-site conditions together. Understanding the impact of weather and putting a system in place to ensure equipment abnormalities are not overlooked are the basics for increasing power generation.

Cause and Countermeasure 3: Reduced light reception due to dirt or deposits on the panel surface

Dirt and deposits on the panel surface are a common cause of reduced power generation. Because solar panels generate electricity from sunlight that strikes their surface, any soiling reduces the light reaching the cells. Soil dust, pollen, yellow sand, bird droppings, fallen leaves, tree sap, dust from nearby construction, road dust, and salt-containing deposits that readily adhere in coastal areas — the type and extent of soiling vary greatly depending on the site environment.

Particular attention should be paid to streaks of dirt that remain along the bottom edge of panels and around the frame. It is often assumed that rain will naturally wash them away, but in reality rainwater can carry dirt down to the bottom edge where it collects and remains. Panels with a gentle tilt do not drain well, making it easy for dirt to build up. Even dirt that is not noticeable from a distance can affect power generation if it covers part of a cell.

Deposits such as bird droppings and fallen leaves should not be overlooked. Unlike overall soiling, these accumulate heavily in specific spots and create partial shading. If only some equipment is showing reduced power generation, inspect the panel surfaces in that area. Rows near trees, around structures where birds tend to perch, rows that are frequently downwind, and areas near unpaved walkways tend to be more prone to dirt and deposits.

As a countermeasure, it is realistic to prioritize cleaning in areas that have the greatest impact on power generation. Rather than cleaning all panels at the same frequency, focus inspections on rows with concentrated dirt, equipment where a decrease in power generation has been confirmed, areas where soiling is noticeable at the lower edges, and locations with heavy bird damage or fallen leaves. By comparing photos and power generation before and after cleaning, it becomes easier to understand how much soiling had affected power generation at that site.

Cleaning must be carried out so as not to damage the equipment. Avoid scrubbing hard with rigid tools, performing sudden work during periods when panels are at high temperature, or working without confirming electrical safety of the installation. Cleaning intended to increase power output is not a cosmetic task to improve appearance, but maintenance work to restore the light-receiving condition and to keep the equipment in long-term stable use. By identifying the causes that make soiling likely and reviewing access routes, surrounding vegetation, and places where birds tend to gather, it becomes easier to suppress recurrence of reduced power generation.

Cause and Countermeasure 4: Power generation loss caused by shading from weeds and trees

When you want to increase power generation, checking for shadows is indispensable. Because solar panels generate electricity by receiving sunlight, even partial shading of a panel can reduce its power output. Causes of shading include weeds, trees, fences, utility poles, nearby buildings, mounting structures, adjacent rows of panels, and monitoring equipment. Shadows move with the time of day and the seasons, so just because no shadow was visible at the time of inspection does not necessarily mean there is no problem.

Weeds are a common cause of on-site power generation losses. Even if they are not a problem in winter or immediately after installation, they can grow rapidly from spring to summer and cast shadows on the lower edges of panels and on the front rows. Even if weeds are not touching the panels, shadows lengthen when the sun is low in the morning and evening. Furthermore, dense weed growth reduces ventilation, blocks inspection walkways, and makes it harder to check around equipment. Because it affects not only power output but also maintainability and safety, weed management is fundamental to improving power generation.

Shading from trees is a factor that tends to become problematic during long-term operation. Even trees that had little impact at installation can grow over several years and reduce power generation. Trees located to the south, east, and west in particular cast shadows on panels depending on the time of day. At power plants near forests or slopes, the height of the terrain combined with tree height can create long shadows in winter. If output is low only in winter or there are large drops in the morning and evening, it is necessary to check trees and terrain together.

As a countermeasure, aligning power generation data with the timing of on-site inspections is effective. If power output is low in the morning, check the site in the morning; if it is low in the evening, look for shadows in the evening. Even if a noon inspection finds no problem, large shadows can appear in the morning and evening. Also, even if there are no issues in summer, shadows can lengthen during seasons with lower solar altitude. Shadows should be managed not as a single moment but as something that changes over time and with the seasons.

When carrying out weeding or pruning, prioritize the areas that have the greatest impact on power generation. Rather than simply leveling the entire site uniformly, focus on the areas in front of panels, around equipment, inspection aisles, and directions where shadows are likely to extend. After work, record whether shadows have actually been eliminated, whether inspections have become easier, and whether airflow has improved. Because shading problems tend to recur, do not treat it as a one-off task; annual management that anticipates the growth of grass and trees is important.

Cause and Countermeasure 5: Failing to Detect String-Level Abnormalities

To increase power generation, it is important to check for abnormalities not only in the overall power plant figures but also at the most granular unit possible. Even if the total output doesn’t look problematic, only some strings may have reduced generation. If left unaddressed, these localized reductions will continue to cause generation losses over a long period.

When checking for anomalies at the string level, the basic principle is to compare units under the same conditions. Simply comparing units that differ in panel count, azimuth, tilt, shading conditions, or connection configuration can lead to mistaking normal differences for anomalies. Check whether any string is consistently lower compared with adjacent rows or equipment with the same orientation. If only a particular string is low, possible causes include soiled panels, partial shading, poor connections, cable damage, or equipment-side problems.

Pay attention to how abnormalities present. If it is consistently lower than the surroundings even on sunny days, dirt or connection problems are suspected. If it is lower only in the morning and evening, check for the effect of shadows. If abnormalities tend to appear after rain, moisture ingress or the condition of the connection points may be involved. If it becomes unstable during the hotter parts of the day, poor contacts or the temperature environment around the equipment are also possible causes. Combining the power-generation waveform with on-site conditions makes it easier to narrow down the cause.

As a countermeasure, put in place management that enables accurately identifying on-site the string suspected of being abnormal. If the management drawings and on-site equipment numbers do not match, row numbers are hard to understand, or photos alone do not convey the location, inspections and repairs will take longer. Even if a drop in power generation is detected in the data, if you cannot reach the corresponding location on site, the time until improvement will be prolonged.

Even a small difference in power generation can cause large losses if it continues over a long period. Moreover, when poor connections or cable damage are involved, it can lead to safety risks as well as reduced generation. Rather than assuming there is no problem because the total output has not dropped significantly, management that can detect localized abnormalities early is necessary.

Cause and Countermeasure 6: Faults in connection points and cables are preventing power generation

In solar power generation, even if panels are receiving sunlight normally, faults in connections or cables can reduce power output. There are many causes that impede the flow of electricity, such as loose terminals, poor contact, damage to cable sheathing, ingress of moisture, damage by animals, damage during grass-cutting work, and deterioration due to aging. Because these issues can be difficult to detect from appearance alone, it is necessary to narrow down abnormal ranges using power output data and evaluate them against on-site conditions.

Connection or cable faults should be suspected when only specific equipment shows low power output, when abnormalities are more likely to occur after rain, when power output suddenly drops, or when the output fluctuates unstably. If a portion shows lower output despite no visible dirt or shading, electrical faults should also be considered. If there is a consistent difference compared with a string under the same conditions, prioritize checking the connections and cables.

Cables are components that are easily affected by on-site environmental conditions. In areas with heavy weed growth, it becomes difficult to check the condition of cables. There is also a risk of making contact with cables during mowing operations. In locations with poor drainage, moisture and puddles can affect connection points. At power plants that are easily accessed by animals, cable damage can also occur. It is important not to view faults in connection points in isolation, but to inspect them together with the surrounding environment.

As countermeasures, organize the equipment showing abnormalities, the time of occurrence, changes in power output, on-site photos, and the surrounding environment, and, if necessary, arrange for a professional inspection. Checks of electrical equipment must be conducted with safety as the highest priority. Rather than having on-site personnel forcibly touch equipment to make a judgment, it is important to organize the information so the cause can be identified through the correct procedures.

A focus on preventing recurrence is also essential. Even if the connection points are repaired, if conditions remain where water pools in the same spot, vegetation proliferates, cables are prone to exposure, animals can easily enter, or inspections are difficult, the malfunction may occur again. Recording the location and cause of the malfunction and reviewing the surrounding environment will lead to management that is less likely to experience repeated declines in power generation.

Cause and Countermeasure 7: Overlooking Shutdowns or Output Suppression of Conversion Equipment

The cause of low power generation is not just the panels or the wiring. Even with ample sunlight, generation won't increase if the equipment that converts the generated electricity is stopped or its output is being limited. If you want to increase power generation, you must always check the operating status of the conversion equipment, its shutdown history, alarm history, and whether output curtailment is in effect.

When reviewing downtime history, confirm which equipment stopped, when, and for how long. Even short stoppages can cause large losses if they occur during daytime when power generation is high. If stops and restarts repeat during the day, they may not stand out in the monthly totals, but in reality they can result in lost generation. Whether only a specific device stops or multiple devices stop simultaneously changes the suspected causes.

When output curtailment occurs, power generation may plateau even on sunny days. If the top of the power-generation curve appears flat, check curtailment records and operating information. However, a flat curve does not necessarily indicate output curtailment. Similar shapes can result from equipment capacity limits, temperature rise, soiling, shading, or measurement anomalies. Do not judge based solely on the power-generation curve; it is important to isolate causes by combining equipment records with on-site conditions.

The surrounding environment of the conversion equipment is also an important point to check. Conditions such as weeds growing around the equipment, poor ventilation, excessive dust and debris, or a tendency for heat to become trapped can affect operational efficiency and increase the risk of shutdowns. Even if the equipment itself shows no abnormalities, a poor surrounding environment can hinder stable operation.

As a countermeasure, compare the drop in generated power with the time of shutdown to narrow down the possible causes. If the time the output dropped matches the time of an alarm or shutdown, it becomes easier to identify the cause. Conversely, if equipment records show no abnormalities, suspect other causes such as panels, wiring, shading, soiling, or solar irradiance conditions. Choosing countermeasures based on generation data and equipment history, not on speculation, is essential for improving power generation.

Cause and Countermeasure 8: Output Hard to Increase Due to Temperature Rise and Poor Ventilation

Solar power generation tends to increase with stronger sunlight, but higher temperatures can make it harder for output to rise. If generation is lower than expected on a sunny summer day, you should check not only the solar irradiance but also panel temperature and the temperature around the equipment. Because temperature increases often do not appear as clearly as a fault, they are frequently overlooked as a cause of reduced generation.

Panels receive strong sunlight outdoors, causing their surface temperature to rise. If the surrounding airflow is poor or weeds are growing beneath the panels, heat is likely to build up. Temperature-related output reductions may not appear as abrupt shutdowns but as a slowdown in the rate of increase in power generation. At sites where generation tends to plateau around noon in summer in particular, it is worth checking the ventilation conditions.

Power conversion equipment is also affected by temperature. If grass or other objects around the equipment impede heat dissipation, it can lead to reduced efficiency or activation of protective functions. The area around the equipment should be kept easy to inspect, well ventilated, and maintained so that any abnormality can be checked immediately. Conditions where weeds or accumulated debris make the area around the equipment hard to see are undesirable not only for power output but also for inspectability and safety.

As a countermeasure, implement management to reduce unnecessary heat buildup. Managing weeds under the panels, ensuring ventilation around equipment, keeping inspection walkways clear, and checking for dust and deposits are measures that can be taken on site. While it is not possible to eliminate temperature increases entirely, power generation losses caused by poor ventilation or inadequate management around equipment can be reduced.

Also consider seasonal differences. If the power output is lower than expected only in summer, temperature and ventilation effects are likely candidates. If it is low only in winter, check for reduced solar altitude, shading, snow accumulation, and the influence of surrounding terrain. Ways to increase power generation are not the same throughout the year. It is important to adjust the inspection items on the assumption that the causes of reduced generation change with each season.

Cause and Countermeasure 9: Poor drainage and terrain changes are contributing factors to recurrence

When you want to increase power generation, you need to check not only the panels and equipment but also the entire power plant's drainage, topography, and inspection routes. Areas where water tends to accumulate, where sediment can flow in, paths that easily become muddy, slope failures, scouring around mounting racks, and places where cables are prone to be exposed can directly or indirectly lead to reduced power output.

Poor drainage may seem to have little direct relation to power output. However, in areas where puddles remain after rain, weeds tend to grow more easily. When weeds grow, they cast shade, reduce ventilation, and make inspections more difficult. Muddy walkways slow work, which can lower the frequency of cleaning and weeding. Where sediment flows in, it accumulates beneath panels and around cables, causing dirt and damage.

When checking topography and drainage, on-site inspection after rain as well as during fine weather is effective. Identify where water flows in, where it accumulates, and where it drains out. Recording puddles, sediment deposits, vegetation overgrowth, pathway settlement, and changes to slope faces will reveal locations prone to recurrence. If dirt or vegetation repeatedly returns to the same spot despite cleaning or weeding, you should suspect drainage or topographical problems rather than merely addressing surface symptoms.

Inspection routes also affect improvements in power generation. Locations that are difficult to inspect tend to delay the detection of abnormalities. If grass has overgrown and blocks passage, if the ground is muddy and you cannot approach, if equipment numbers are hard to read, or if abnormal locations are difficult to share, on-site responses take longer. Even if data identifies equipment with low power output, if it takes time to reach the corresponding location on site, improvements will be delayed.

As a countermeasure, manage the site environment together with the power generation equipment. Record poor drainage, sediment accumulation, obstructed access routes, and slope changes, and link these to declines in power output and inspection delays. Even if immediate large improvements in power output are not visible, reducing soiling, weeds, poor connections, and inspection delays helps suppress long-term generation losses.

Cause and Countermeasure 10: Insufficient Inspection Records and Location Information Prevent Continued Improvement

At sites aiming to increase power output, an unexpectedly large challenge is the lack of inspection records and location information. Even when soiling, shading, abnormalities, or drainage problems are found on site, if the exact location is not shared, it takes time to take corrective action or to re-inspect. This is especially true at large power plants, where similar rows and equipment are lined up and the location can be hard to identify from photos alone.

When record-keeping is insufficient, you cannot learn the causes even if the same problems recur. Even if there are patterns—such as grass growing in the same spots every year, dirt accumulating in the same rows, the same pathways becoming muddy after rain, or the same equipment causing stoppages—without records the next response will still be ad hoc. To increase power generation, it is important not to let inspections end as mere checks but to accumulate them as information that can be used for future improvements.

What we want to record are the locations of equipment with low power output, spots where shading occurs, rows that tend to get dirty, places where water accumulates, locations where connection failures occurred, areas that were repaired, and the ranges where cleaning or weeding was carried out. If these can be managed together with location information, you can overlay power generation data with on-site conditions to review them. If areas of low power output overlap with poor drainage or shading locations, the rationale for countermeasures becomes clear.

It is effective for inspection records to include photos, date and time, equipment number, work performed, description of abnormalities, response status, and whether reinspection is necessary. However, adding too many record items makes them difficult to use in the field. What is important is that, when viewed later, it is clear where and what happened and how it was addressed. If power generation drops again, reviewing past records makes it easier to determine whether the same problem is occurring in the same location or whether it is a new cause.

As a countermeasure, manage power generation data, on-site photos, location information, and work history using the same approach. If stakeholders can accurately share the exact same location, the process from inspection through weeding, cleaning, repairs, and reinspection will become smoother. Improvements in power generation are easier to sustain when observations made on site are recorded in a form that can be used to inform subsequent decisions.

Management Approach for Sustaining Improvements in Power Generation

Efforts to increase power generation cannot be completed with a single operation. 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 return; even if you remove weeds, grass will grow; trees will grow; and drainage channels will be altered by sediment. Equipment and cables also change condition as they age. Therefore, to consistently increase power generation, it is necessary to establish a system of continuous management rather than relying on one-off work.

First, it's important to decide the criteria for checking power generation. If you determine how often to review generation data, at what level of decline to carry out on-site inspections, and at what equipment level to make comparisons, anomalies will be detected more quickly. Relying solely on the intuition of personnel leads to oversights and inconsistent judgments. Standardizing the generation curve on sunny days, comparisons with equipment under the same conditions, checks of stoppage histories, and on-site photographic records will stabilize the accuracy of power generation improvements.

Next, perform a before-and-after comparison of the measures. After performing cleaning, weeding, repairs, equipment inspections, and drainage checks, verify how power generation has changed. It is difficult to completely eliminate the influence of weather, but by comparing sunny days with each other or comparing systems under the same conditions, you can identify consistent trends. Continue to prioritize measures that produced large effects, and if an effect is hard to detect, investigate other possible causes.

When improving power generation, it is also important not to try to solve every issue at once. On site there are many problems such as dirt, shading, equipment, wiring, temperature, drainage, site traffic flow, and insufficient record-keeping. If everything is treated with the same priority, the workload can become large and highly effective measures may be delayed. First identify the causes that have the greatest impact on power output, then address factors that are likely to recur; proceeding in that order makes it easier to sustain the work in practice.

If you manage multiple power plants, standardizing management methods is also important. If each site has different ways of taking inspection photos, formatting equipment numbers, and recording abnormalities, information sharing takes time. If you manage power generation data, on-site photos, location information, and work history according to the same approach, it becomes easier for stakeholders to share the situation. Efforts to increase power generation lead not only to improvements at individual sites but also to overall improvements in the quality of management operations.

For those who want to increase power generation, what is as important as finding the cause is preventing the same cause from recurring. If you record locations prone to soiling, times of day when shadows are likely to occur, areas with poor drainage, and equipment that tends to show abnormalities, you can take measures next time before generation drops significantly. Ideally, improving power generation means shifting work from responding after a decline to preventing the decline in the first place.

Summary

When you want to increase power generation, the causes to check are: how to read generation data, distinguishing weather and solar irradiance conditions, dirt on panel surfaces, shading from weeds or trees, abnormalities at the string level, faults in connections or cables, stoppage or output curtailment of conversion equipment, temperature rise, drainage and terrain issues, and lack of inspection records and location information. In solar power generation, you cannot increase the solar irradiance itself at the site. However, by approaching a state in which the received irradiance is converted into electricity without waste, you can reduce generation losses.

When you feel the power generation is low, rather than immediately considering major renovations, it is important to first separate and examine the data. Check when the output is low, which equipment is underperforming, and whether there is a difference compared with equipment under the same conditions. Based on that, an on-site inspection will clarify the areas that need cleaning, the extent of weed removal, the connection points that need inspection, the equipment that should be checked, and any drainage or traffic-flow issues that should be reviewed. Improving power generation should be advanced by linking data with on-site conditions, not by intuition.

Efforts to increase power generation cannot be completed in a single operation. Even if you clean, dirt will return; even if you remove weeds, grass will regrow; trees will grow; drainage routes will change; and equipment and wiring will change condition with age. Comparing power generation before and after countermeasures, keeping on-site photos and work records, and using them to inform the next inspection will improve the accuracy of improvements. To raise power generation stably, it is essential not only to remove the causes but also to create a site environment and management system that are less prone to decline.

Especially at large power plants, a system is needed to accurately share problem locations. If you record shadow locations, dirt-prone rows, places where water accumulates, abnormal strings, repair locations, and inspection photos together with location information, stakeholders can more easily confirm the same spots. By combining power generation data with on-site location information, it becomes easier to explain the prioritization of countermeasures and to streamline future inspections and checks for recurrence.

At sites aiming to increase power output, leveraging LRTK is also effective when you want to manage inspection results and location information more accurately. As an iPhone-mounted GNSS high-precision positioning device, LRTK is useful for recording inspection locations inside solar power plants—such as shadowed areas, poor drainage points, abnormal equipment, repair locations, and on-site photos—together with highly accurate location information. To increase power output, it is important to accurately identify causes and to implement management that allows the same locations to be repeatedly checked. By leveraging LRTK, you can record 10 causes and countermeasures as field data, making it easier to advance practical power-generation improvements.