Photovoltaic plant maintenance goes digital thanks to the CMMS
EF Solare Italia takes significant step forward in its digital transformation journey
In recent months, EF Solare Italia has taken another significant step forward in its digital transformation journey, successfully completing an ambitious and strategic project: the integration of the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) with the SAP management system and other applications. This achievement marks a crucial milestone in optimizing the maintenance and operational management of our photovoltaic plants. We spoke with the project team, made up of Claudia Bentivoglio, Giuliano Nifosi, and Luisa Gretter from the ICT area, and Marco Ranno and Gabriele Savatteri from the Maintenance area.
The evolution of the CMMS: from stand-alone to integrated system
Even in its initial implementation phase, the CMMS proved to be a fundamental tool for digitizing maintenance activities, moving beyond traditional management based on Excel sheets and generic tickets. However, the real game-changer was the integration with SAP, which enabled the connection of the maintenance system with the procurement cycle, management control, and warehouse management. This evolution allowed for more precise and timely task management, ensuring better cost monitoring and more effective control over resource use. Integration also fostered greater coordination among the various teams involved, optimizing processes and reducing time and material waste.
A system tailored to photovoltaics
One of the most innovative aspects of this project was the customization of the CMMS based on specific business processes. Unlike other energy sectors such as thermoelectric or wind power, the use of a digital maintenance system is not yet widespread in photovoltaics. EF Solare Italia therefore developed an advanced system capable of adapting to the unique features of its plants.
Among the key features implemented are:
• Work request and work order management: the system can automatically generate intervention requests based on reports from maintenance technicians or remote monitoring systems, ensuring faster response times.
• Performance and cost monitoring: each intervention on a registered asset component is thoroughly tracked, including materials used, external services, execution times, and related costs—providing comprehensive reporting for maintenance analysis.
• Integration with warehouse and procurement: the CMMS is directly connected to spare parts management and material reservations, optimizing stock usage and improving procurement flows within the SAP system.
• Access control and safety: thanks to integration with the HSE management system, external personnel can access plants only after their technical-professional suitability is verified, ensuring high safety standards. The approval flow for scheduled interventions also includes interference management.
• Dynamic asset management: plant assets are updated in real time, enabling precise tracking of component replacements and improving maintenance planning.
A cultural as well as technological shift
Implementing such an advanced system required not only technical effort but also a significant cultural shift within the company. Moving from manual procedures to a fully digitized system involved a process review, extensive staff training, and strong coordination between departments—facilitated and supported by EF Solare’s Organization area. The project engaged several company functions, from Operations to HSE, Organization, Management Control, and Procurement. Cross-team collaboration was key to overcoming technical and organizational challenges and ensuring successful adoption of the new platform.
Looking ahead: predictive maintenance and artificial intelligence
The CMMS integration with SAP is just the beginning of a continuous innovation path. The long-term goal is to evolve toward predictive maintenance models, leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence to anticipate failures and further enhance plant performance.
EF Solare Italia continues to invest in digitalization as a strategic lever to improve operational efficiency and the sustainability of its plant portfolio. The CMMS stands as a concrete example of how technological innovation can make photovoltaic systems increasingly high-performing, reliable, and safe—to the benefit of the entire sector and the environment.