Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Operations & Maintenance (O&M) teams, and Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) companies encounter various challenges in maintaining the efficiency, reliability and long-term sustainability of photovoltaic (PV) systems. A new report from the International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA PVPS) Task 13, developed in collaboration with 3E and other industry experts, provides structured methodologies for assessing and improving PV system performance using economic and technical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Understanding the challenges in PV system performance
PV system operators frequently deal with performance inconsistencies, unplanned maintenance and unexpected operational costs. These challenges include:
• Variability in energy yield predictions affecting long-term planning.
• Delayed identification of system inefficiencies leading to extended downtimes.
• Increased maintenance costs due to reactive rather than proactive interventions.
• Difficulty in standardising data for performance evaluation and benchmarking.
To address these concerns, the report identifies essential KPIs that provide a structured approach to monitoring and improving PV system performance.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for PV systems
Technical KPIs: assessing and improving system operations
• Pxx Energy Yield uses probabilistic models to improve long-term energy output estimates.
• Performance Ratio (PR) measures system efficiency under standard conditions, allowing for identification of deviations.
• Degradation Rate (Rd) tracks system ageing, enabling proactive maintenance and planning.
• Energy Performance Index (EPI) compares actual vs. expected energy production, helping to pinpoint underlying losses.
Economic KPIs: evaluating long-term financial performance
• Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) assesses the cost per unit of energy over the system’s lifetime to ensure financial sustainability.
• Internal Rate of Return (IRR) evaluates economic feasibility over the investment period.
• Net Present Value (NPV) assists in decision-making by analysing future cash flow value in present terms.
--> Download the full report on 'Technical Key Performance Indicators for Photovoltaic Systems: Challenges and Best Practices'.
How data-driven insights help monitor and improve PV system performance
Proactive issue detection and operational efficiency
While adopting standardised performance metrics is essential, ensuring effective management is equally important. SynaptiQ provides a structured platform that allows developers, investors, asset owners and O&M teams to act quickly and systematically when performance issues arise. Using a physics-based Digital Twin, SynaptiQ enables real-time issue detection and categorisation, reducing the time between fault identification and resolution.
By organising performance data in a structured format, SynaptiQ supports:
• Systematic identification and assessment of deviations.
• Efficient scheduling and deployment of maintenance teams.
• 50% reduction in manual effort, leading to improved operational efficiency.
Identifying and mitigating energy losses
A frequent challenge for PV operators is aligning expected energy output with actual production. SynaptiQ provides a structured methodology to assess energy losses, categorising them into factors such as:
• Soiling
• Curtailment
• String faults
• Degradation
• Shading
• Additional technical constraints
By applying advanced simulations, SynaptiQ can also detect potential issues months before they become visible in standard monitoring analysis, such as inverter efficiency changes due to slight temperature increase. Identifying such early-stage issues allows for timely interventions, reducing long-term system inefficiencies and maintenance costs.
Why choose 3E SynaptiQ for solar asset performance management?
3E SynaptiQ provides PV operators with the necessary tools to monitor, analyse and optimise system performance efficiently. By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, SynaptiQ enables stakeholders to:
• Detect and resolve issues before they escalate, minimising downtime.
• Improve asset performance through predictive maintenance strategies.
• Enhance decision-making with data-driven insights and standardised reporting.
• Streamline workflows for O&M teams, reducing manual interventions and associated costs.
With its physics-based Digital Twin technology, SynaptiQ bridges the gap between expected and actual energy production. It continuously monitors assets, identifies deviations and provides actionable insights that help IPPs, O&M teams, and EPCs maintain sustainable and high-performing PV portfolios.
Future directions: AI and predictive analytics in solar performance monitoring
The advancement of PV performance monitoring will continue to evolve with the integration of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and geospatial data analysis. Areas of potential development include:
• AI applications for predicting system behaviour and energy output trends.
• Automated diagnostics to enhance fault detection and classification.
• Expanded sustainability metrics to incorporate environmental impact assessments.
Practical implementation of KPIs for sustainable PV operations
Applying the KPI framework outlined in this report enables PV system stakeholders to:
✅ Monitor and enhance system efficiency using data-driven insights.
✅ Optimise maintenance planning to reduce downtime and associated costs.
✅ Improve long-term financial planning through structured performance assessments.
By adopting these methodologies, the PV sector can achieve improved performance, reduced inefficiencies and enhanced sustainability. SynaptiQ is already applying these principles today, helping PV operators address challenges effectively and maintain reliable, high-performing assets.
--> Learn more about SynaptiQ and book a demo with our experts.
--> Read the 'Best Practice Guidelines for the Use of Economic and Technical KPIs' report.
