The global solar industry is booming, but large-scale PV installations still face a critical gap: reliable data on how solar assets perform in the real world. Without high-quality information about degradation rates, fault patterns, and long-term performance, asset owners and operators are left to make assumptions, which can lead to suboptimal maintenance and reduced returns.
Enter PEANUTS, part of a series of research initiatives led by the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) under the IPN program. It is the second IPN project, building on the learnings from its predecessor and paving the way for the newly launched SOLAN project. Partners include TGS Prediktor, Scatec and Equinor.
PEANUTS is pioneering a new way forward by developing tools that collect, analyze, and apply real-world operational data from utility-scale solar parks to enhance O&M strategies and inform better decision-making.
At its core, the PEANUTS project is about creating a standardized, automated approach to collecting and processing large volumes of performance data, including:
IFE is leading the research by designing algorithms and tools for the project, while TGS Prediktor is developing the operational systems that turn raw performance data into actionable insights.
TGS Prediktor’s role: from research to real-world systems
As the digital infrastructure partner, TGS Prediktor takes IFE’s research outputs and translates them into scalable, field-ready solutions. Using its Prediktor PowerView™ and Prediktor Data Gateway technologies, TGS Prediktor ensures that the PEANUTS results are deployed effectively into operational environments. This includes:
With decades of experience supporting hybrid and utility-scale solar worldwide, TGS Prediktor bridges the gap between research, innovation and the everyday needs of a high-performing operational system.
A collaborative vision for better solar O&M
PEANUTS brings together academic institutions, technology providers, and leading IPPs to tackle one of solar energy’s biggest blind spots and challenges: the lack of empirical performance benchmarks. By closing this data gap, the project will empower:
Some of PEANUTS’ research results are already implemented in Prediktor PowerView, delivering immediate value for customers:
And with the launch of SOLAN, we expect even more advanced analytics to follow.
Looking ahead
With PEANUTS, the industry is leaping forward. By combining IFE’s research expertise with TGS Prediktor’s deployment and integration capabilities, the project is building a common data foundation and delivering tools that work across real-world sites. The result: more efficient, resilient, scalable and high-performing solar infrastructure.
And as the next IPN project, SOLAN, begins, the knowledge and technology from PEANUTS will serve as a critical stepping stone towards an even smarter, more connected future for solar asset management.
For more information about the PEANUTS project, visit IFE’s official page: https://ife.no/en/project/peanuts-3/