This paper presents a systematic review that explores the latest advancements in predictive maintenance methods and cybersecurity for solar panel systems, shedding light on the advantages and challenges of the most recent developments in predictive maintenance techniques for solar plants. Numerous important research studies, reviews, and empirical studies published between 2018 and 2023 are examined. These technologies help in detecting defects, degradation, and anomalies in solar panels by facilitating early intervention and reducing the probability of inverter failures. The analysis also emphasizes how challenging it is to adopt predictive maintenance in the renewable energy industry. Achieving a balance between model complexity and accuracy, dealing with system unpredictability, and adjusting to shifting environmental conditions are among the challenges. It also highlights the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL), which are all incorporated into solar panel predictive maintenance. By enabling real-time monitoring, data analysis, and anomaly identification, these developments improve the accuracy and effectiveness of maintenance procedures.

Solar photovoltaic systems have increasingly become essential for harvesting renewable energy. However, as these systems grow in prevalence, the issue of the end of life of modules is also increasing. Regular maintenance and inspection are vital to extend the lifespan of these systems, minimize energy losses, and protect the environment. This paper presents an innovative explainable AI model for detecting anomalies in solar photovoltaic panels using an enhanced convolutional neural network (CNN) and the VGG16 architecture. The model effectively identifies physical and electrical changes, such as dust and bird droppings, and is implemented using the PyQt5 Python tool to create a user-friendly interface that facilitates decision-making for users. Key processes included dataset balancing through oversampling and data augmentation to expand the dataset. The model achieved impressive performance metrics: 91.46% accuracy, 98.29% specificity, and an F1 score of 91.67%. Overall, it enhances power generation efficiency and prolongs the lifespan of photovoltaic systems, while minimizing environmental risks.

The mining industry’s increased energy consumption has resulted in a slew of climate-related effects on the environment, many of which have direct implications for humanity’s survival. The forecast of mine site energy use is one of the low-cost approaches for energy conservation. Accurate predictions do indeed assist us in better understanding the source of high energy consumption and aid in making early decisions by setting expectations. Machine Learning (ML) methods are known to be the best approach for achieving desired results in prediction tasks in this area. As a result, machine learning has been used in several research involving energy predictions in operational and residential buildings. Only few research, however, has investigated the feasibility of machine learning algorithms for predicting energy use in open-pit mines. To close this gap, this work provides an application of machine learning algorithms in the RapidMiner tool for predicting energy consumption time series using real-time data obtained from a smart grid placed in an experimental open-pit mine. This study compares the performance of four machine learning (ML) algorithms for predicting daily energy consumption: Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), and Random Forest (RF). The models were trained, tested, and then evaluated. In order to assess the models’ performance four metrics were used in this study, namely correlation (R), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and root relative squared error (RRSE). The performance of the models reveals RF to be the most effective predictive model for energy forecasting in similar cases.

This paper presents a comprehensive and comparative study of solar energy forecasting in Morocco, utilizing four machine learning algorithms: Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and artificial neural networks (ANNs). The study is conducted using a smart metering device designed for a photovoltaic system at an industrial site in Benguerir, Morocco. The smart metering device collects energy usage data from a submeter and transmits it to the cloud via an ESP-32 card, enhancing monitoring, efficiency, and energy utilization. Our methodology includes an analysis of solar resources, considering factors such as location, temperature, and irradiance levels, with PVSYST simulation software version 7.2, employed to evaluate system performance under varying conditions. Additionally, a data logger is developed to monitor solar panel energy production, securely storing data in the cloud while accurately measuring key parameters and transmitting them using reliable communication protocols. An intuitive web interface is also created for data visualization and analysis. The research demonstrates a holistic approach to smart metering devices for photovoltaic systems, contributing to sustainable energy utilization, smart grid development, and environmental conservation in Morocco. The performance analysis indicates that ANNs are the most effective predictive model for solar energy forecasting in similar scenarios, demonstrating the lowest RMSE and MAE values, along with the highest R² value.