麻豆传媒

News — The "PV Doctor", launched on 2 April 2025, is a spin-off from the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It commercialises 15 years of in-depth research on PV system performance in different climates and on maximising energy yield – be it for well-operating (“healthy”) or under-performing (“sick”) installations. 

The "PV Doctor" offers a unique combination of cutting-edge data analytics using artificial Intelligence (AI), daily routine checks and performance benchmarks. This ensures that PV assets under management (AUM) operate at optimum yield at any time. 

Beyond the data-driven part, the “PV Doctor” also offers to rectify under-performing PV assets and bring them back to optimum energy yield levels. This will ensure higher revenues and ultimately higher returns on investment for PV system owners. The “PV Doctor” was founded with a clear mission: to ensure that every signed-up PV system operates at its peak performance, delivering the value that owners expect.

By combining cutting-edge AI-driven analytics with decade-long expertise in PV system behaviour, we provide real-time monitoring, alarm conditioning and actionable solutions that prevent energy losses and protect long-term asset value.

Background

Solar PV systems are often sold under the assumption of “zero maintenance”. While the maintenance efforts for PV installations compared to other energy generating technologies with moving parts are much lower, they are not “zero” at all. In fact, a recent study shows that – globally – the ! Obviously, there are many “sick” patients out there. And that’s where the “PV Doctor” comes into the picture and helps owners of under-performing assets to find out the underlying root causes and rectifies them until the system is back to expected energy yields. Likewise, the “PV Doctor” also monitors “healthy” PV systems using its proprietary “Smart O&M” algorithm to make sure that the assets don’t move into “unhealthy” performance ranges in the first place.

Fast ramp-up

The “Smart O&M” services were initially offered through SERIS to clients across Asia – and the sign-up rates prove the enormous demand in the region. In less than 12 months, the assets under management (AUM) climbed to over 200 MWp, across 400 sites in 10 countries. In Singapore alone, more than 3% of all PV installations are already under “Smart O&M” monitoring by the “PV Doctor”. The new spin-off brings these numbers to new heights and offers a much broader service base. 

Comprehensive List of Service Offerings by the “PV Doctor”

The “PV Doctor” is a one-stop shop for both well-operating and under-performing PV installations – irrespective of the system size. We work with all types of clients (such as system owners, developers, EPCs, O&M companies) and all system sizes from small residential to C&I installations and utility-scale solar farms. 

Below is a list of the six core services that the “PV Doctor” offers to clients:

1. Smart O&M – Keeping systems at best performance levels through real-time monitoring The core of “PV Doctor’s” services is Smart Operations & Maintenance (“Smart O&M”), a data-driven solution that automatically detects performance issues, analyses root causes, and proposes corrective actions. By directly integrating with inverter portals, PV Doctor eliminates the need for additional hardware, making it easy and cost-effective to onboard. The AI-driven system leverages high-precision local sensors (where available), with satellite data and machine learning algorithms to identify performance anomalies, including, for example:

• Performance ratio trending and behaviour;
• Soiling losses caused by industrial pollution, crops burning, or construction soiling;
• Shading impacts from nearby buildings, vegetation growth, or seasonal changes;
• Grid disturbances that affect system stability in regions with unreliable infrastructure;
• Component failures, such as inverter shutdowns, undetected string faults, or degraded modules.

2. Preventive O&M – Proactive maintenance activities for highest energy yields For solar asset owners who prefer a hands-off approach, the “PV Doctor’s” Preventive O&M programme ensures that systems remain clean, well-maintained, and fully operational, without the need to involve system owners and facility managers. Routine inspections, scheduled cleanings, and early fault detection help prevent minor issues from escalating into costly failure.
3. Rectification & Special Investigations – Diagnosing and fixing performance losses Many PV systems suffer from gradual component failures (e.g. potential-induced degradation, PID) or hidden inefficiencies arising, for example, from faulty wiring, loose connections, and insulation failures. System located close to the equator often see module glass staining from water/dust accumulation on solar panels installed at shallow tilt angles. The “PV Doctor” will not rest until the root causes of any underperformance have been identified, irrespective of the complexity of the failure pattern. The team will then work out rectification measures and implement the necessary steps, in close alignment with the client.
4. Repowering – Upgrading aging systems for renewed & increased energy yield Older PV installations often fail to meet expected outputs due to outdated components (modules with low efficiencies, inverter failures due to ageing) or inefficient system layouts. Repowering revitalises these assets, incorporating the latest technologies, from state-of-the-art modules to modern inverters and realtime monitoring systems. This allows for maximising energy yield on a certain site location and extends system lifespan.
5. Audits & Performance Assessments – Independent 3rd-party verifications Independent audits or performance assessments are required at many points in time during an asset’s lifecycle, for example during a due diligence process prior to an asset transfer or for certifying electricity generation to verify Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). The “PV Doctor” generates independent 3rd party audits and performance assessments using satellite-derived irradiance data, thermal imaging, and detailed electrical analysis to verify energy output, identify discrepancies, and support compliance with industry standards.
6. Technical Support – Expert guidance for asset owners, developers, and investors Managing a solar asset (or an entire PV portfolio) requires more than just operational oversight. It demands strategic planning and informed decision-making. Whether it is about evaluating tenders, quality assurance during component selection, construction and testing & commissioning, or preparing for an acquisition (or sale of assets), the “PV Doctor” provides data-backed insights and risk assessments to ensure project success.

 Read more at: