Many property owners install solar with the hope of cutting their energy costs and reducing their reliance on the grid. But without proper operations and maintenance (O&M), those hopes can quickly fade. Underestimating the power of good O&M can be a costly mistake that turns a promising solar investment into a disappointing underperformer.
This is exactly what the owners of a 261 kWp solar PV system installed at a Parktown office park experienced. Throughout 2024, the system had averaged just 10,829 kWh per month – a fraction of its expected performance – with frequent dips in generation and inconsistent reliability.
Having invested in solar with the promise of energy cost savings and improved sustainability, the property owners were frustrated.
That changed in January 2025, when Decentral’s O&M team took over.
The team got to work implementing a structured improvement plan based on a comprehensive fault-finding investigation. Our experienced engineers and technicians managed a series of critical remedial works to replace faulty components and improve system functionality.
But fixing hardware was only the first step. Once the system was stabilised, the team shifted focus to meticulous monitoring and proactive management.
The impact was immediate. From the very first month under Decentral’s professional oversight, the results were striking. January 2025’s year-on-year energy production more than doubled – rising from 6,677 kWh to 14,221 kWh.
More importantly, this was not a once-off improvement. The upward trend continued through the year, with the system reaching a record high of 27,374 kWh in August. That is nearly three times as much energy as was produced in the previous August.
The graph below shows how quickly and significantly Decentral was able to improve performance.
Behind those numbers is a combination of proactive maintenance, detailed monitoring, and rapid fault resolution. With their data-driven methodology, the Decentral O&M team addressed every small issue before it could escalate. As a result, inverter performance steadily improved, along with overall system reliability.
Even allowing for normal seasonal variation, the year-on-year data shows a clear and sustained climb in output, with an average improvement of 164%. The site has gone from inconsistent and unpredictable to optimised and reliable.
This dramatic turnaround highlights the importance of expert solar asset management. With the right team in place, solar installations can achieve optimal performance and deliver consistent returns, reinforcing the financial viability of clean energy investments.
Today, the solar asset continues to perform above expectations. It consistently produces clean energy, supporting the client’s sustainability goals while also cutting operating costs.
It is a powerful reminder of how expert O&M can transform solar assets from barely functioning to truly thriving.
If you’re managing a system that isn’t meeting expectations, we’d love to help. Get in touch with us via our contact form.
