European solar portfolios are growing while grid connection queues lengthen and pressure increases to deliver projects faster and at tighter margins. Emily Obenauer, Director of Product Marketing at Sitetracker, argues that the operational systems behind renewable projects have not always kept pace.
The problem is not necessarily a lack of software. Operators may already use project management tools, enterprise resource planning systems, spreadsheets and other platforms. The difficulty arises when these systems remain disconnected, leaving teams to manually reconcile information across the asset lifecycle.
Where disconnected systems create delays
Before a solar asset begins commercial operation, speed is critical. Construction may be complete, but projects can still be delayed by document validation and approvals.
Close-out can involve hundreds of records, including:
Obenauer argues that sequential approvals and inbox-based coordination can leave completed assets waiting to generate revenue.
Permit management presents another risk. Across large portfolios, missed expiration dates or renewal triggers can disrupt schedules. Contractor performance can also become difficult to assess quickly when information moves slowly through conventional reporting channels.
After commissioning, data integrity takes priority
Once an asset enters operation, the emphasis shifts from project delivery to maintaining accurate operational information.
Field equipment can be replaced without records being updated, condition readings may not reach the central system and maintenance work can be completed without being fully reconciled.
Over time, this can create a gap between the equipment recorded in management systems and what is actually installed onsite.
Reliable data supports:
European operators must also maintain evidence around grid codes, environmental requirements and other obligations across different jurisdictions.
Moving beyond passive records
Obenauer argues that a centralised system of record is necessary but not sufficient. A database can hold information, but still depend on people to keep it current and decide what action should follow.
She sees artificial intelligence (AI) as potentially moving these systems from passive repositories towards more active operational tools.
Rather than simply producing reports, an AI-supported system could identify an approaching permit expiry, detect contractor delays, route approvals or highlight exceptions requiring human attention.
The distinction is important: fragmented or poor-quality data can make AI unreliable, while good data without effective workflows can still leave teams dependent on manual processes.
AI adoption as a progression
Operational AI is presented as a gradual development rather than an immediate move to autonomous decision making.
The progression can include:
Human oversight remains important throughout. Obenauer argues that organisations should be able to increase automation gradually as confidence develops, rather than handing control directly to the technology.
Governance remains essential
For European operators, AI also introduces questions around General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), permissions and auditability.
If an AI system can access information beyond a user’s normal permissions, it could create authorisation problems. Operators also need records showing what an AI system changed, when it acted, what information it used and who authorised the action.
As renewable portfolios become larger and more complex, Obenauer’s argument is that operational performance will increasingly depend on connecting reliable asset data with effective workflows and carefully governed AI.
Explore the full feature from Sitetracker on renewable asset management, operational AI and data governance in PES Solar: https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-articles/how-intelligent-management-is-redefining-renewable-energy-performance