Repowering vs revamping: what’s the difference?
Revamping returns an ageing solar plant to its original capacity.
Repowering goes one better and actually improves on the original asset’s capacity.
Achieving either outcome might mean:
- Replacing obsolete components like inverters and PV modules
- Improving grid connection and redistributing the system
- Replacing balance of system (BOS) components
- Adjusting support structures
- Changing the system’s electrical configuration
- Adding retrofit technologies (like coatings designed for pre-2013 uncoated modules)
- Installing new software platforms
The goal is restoring (revamping) or increasing (repowering) the asset’s original total DC power. This is known as its total installed capacity (TIC). If you’re repowering, you might also free up land to be used for different technologies.
