Interview with Stelios Antellis, Astronergy – Chair of the Lifecycle Quality Workstream
What is the Lifecycle Quality Workstream, and why is it important?
Solar Power Europe's Lifecycle Quality Workstream brings together industry-leading know-how in EPC, O&M, asset management, and end-of-life management of solar PV systems. In essence, the workstream's mandate is to promote quality from the inception and development stages through to the end of life of solar assets. By ensuring the durability and predictability of solar PV plant performance, we contribute to the reliability, profitability, and healthy growth of the European solar PV industry.
The design, procurement, installation quality, and long-term maintenance of PV systems are essential for meeting performance expectations, complying with European standards, and achieving life spans of 25-30 years (or more) before recycling. SPE's Lifecycle Quality workstream is critical, particularly in Europe, which pioneered the industry and has some of the longest- standing installations. Europe remains – and we hope will continue to be- a global leader in the energy transition.
The workstream is delighted to receive valuable contributions and insights from hundreds of industry-leading experts, including -among others- standardisation, certification and technical advisory organisations, component manufacturers, developers, utilities, IPPs, installers, and contractors. The development, testing, standardisation, and verification of best practices throughout the PV systems' lifecycle are essential and represent one of Europe's cornerstone assets, which we should all commit to maintaining, optimising, and further growing.
Why should companies join the workstream?
The Lifecycle Quality Workstream is a unique platform for developing know-how, fostering dialogue, and sharing information, while producing and updating best practice guidelines that set benchmarks in O&M, asset management, EPC, and the end-of-life management of solar PV systems. Key highlights include the Lifecycle Quality Best Practice Guidelines published in 2021, the O&M best practice guidelines (currently at version 5.0), and the EPC and asset management best practice guidelines (now at version 2.0), among others. Moreover, the workstream created the Solar Best Practices Mark (www.solarbestpractices.com), a self-certification system based on the recommendations outlined in the guidelines. Our members have worked with external renewable energy experts to create best practice guidelines for regions including Mexico, Tunisia, India, South Africa, and more.
What will the future of the Lifecycle Quality Workstream look like?
Lifecycle quality workstream is the main driver of the Solar Quality Summit, an annual event that brings together all stakeholders dedicated to solar PV system quality and lifecycle management. The 2025summit is scheduled to take place in Barcelona on the 18th and 19th of February. If you would like to meet in person with many of the members of our workstream, we warmly invite you to register, attend, share your views, and/or stay updated on the latest trends and achievements.
Lifecycle Quality Workstream
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