Staff at the organization will be shown how to turn the solar system on and off. This is usually not required, as the system will automatically shut down if there is insufficient sunlight or lack of power from the utility and automatically restart when there is enough light and power.
The solar installation is highly automated and includes a high level of built-in monitoring. The monitoring system is web-based and can be monitored remotely. Access to the monitoring website and log in will be provided at commissioning.
Alarms can also be set up to notify people assigned to monitor the system if the equipment falls out of acceptable performance. The person monitoring the system will arrange for a service call to address the underperforming or failed equipment. Monitoring is included in O&M service contracts.
For the direct purchase option, operations and maintenance contracts can be provided by the approved maintenance contractor (often the same as the installation contractor).
In the case of an ESSA, operations and maintenance is the responsibility of Solar Faithful. The warranties for all the equipment are assigned to Solar Faithful until they are transferred to the organizations when the ESSA ends, either through early purchase or the end of the agreement.
