Holding the “reins” of the technical department, he upgraded the PV maintenance and operation services offered by the Green Energy Group to commercial and industrial customers. The Head of Maintenance, Antonis Kallousias, who together with his team has developed innovative maintenance methods, smart solutions for the design and monitoring of photovoltaic parks as well as Net Billing systems, throughout the island.
What are the services that your team offers?
The services that the team offers in the technical department are mainly preventive and corrective maintenance in PV installations. The team also deals with the construction of PV parks (EPC) and the management of the implementation/construction of RES projects (Project Management).
We often hear the term O&M. What does it refer to?
The term O&M refers to the Operation and Maintenance of photovoltaic systems. It is commonly used in various industries and is related to the operation and maintenance activities of equipment, facilities or systems. This process includes scheduled maintenance (Preventive Maintenance), troubleshooting (Corrective Maintenance), repairs as well as ensuring smooth and efficient operation of PV systems.
What are the main stages that the department follows to manage a photovoltaic park?
The management of each photovoltaic park includes a series of key steps, which ensure the smooth operation of each project. The technical department follows five main steps towards achieving this goal:
- Daily monitoring of PV systems and evaluation of data through SCADA systems.
- Scheduling maintenance work based on contracts.
- Immediate response to failures.
- Performance reports, such as the preparation of regular reports.
- Improvement strategies, through data analysis and the implementation of best practices.
What is your philosophy, as a department head, to inspire your team and achieve high levels of efficiency?
My philosophy, as a leader, focuses on three main pillars: Empowerment, Communication and Cultivating Trust. I believe that creating an environment where there is a sense of safety, mutual trust, respect, continuous communication and encouragement to take initiatives leads to the success of any team.
By giving team members the freedom to take initiatives, while expressing their ideas at the same time, members feel that they have an active role in decisions, while at the same time strengthening the motivation to develop skills and study new innovative solutions.
As an advocate of open and honest communication with the team, I focus on daily feedback on the challenges and risks we are called to face. By listing the challenges and opportunities that arise in the sector, I encourage the team to share their thoughts, without fear.
All team members know well that I am by their side, supporting them even if a mistake is made, as we have all learned professionally through our mistakes.
I believe that recognizing the contribution of each member, as well as developing team spirit, leads only to one path: the successful achievement of goals, collectively and individually.
What do you consider the greatest achievement of the technical department, under your leadership?
The design, operation and maintenance of the projects we implement are often accompanied by unforeseen circumstances and are influenced by external factors, such as natural disasters and technical problems.
Considering the circumstances, the team has undoubtedly succeeded in overcoming many obstacles. It has managed to complete large-scale PV parks, ensure their smooth operation and, most importantly, increase the overall efficiency and sustainability of the photovoltaic parks. At the same time, the team has distinguished itself for the continuous improvement and efficient management of projects, through innovative solutions and strategies.
Our achievements, clearly, did not come by chance! The continuous development of know-how, the further training of staff, the implementation of new technologies, the coordinated actions and the strategic implementation of projects, have ranked the Group’s technical department as one of the most efficient in Cyprus.