Integrated risk assessment and digital twin-based safety management in photovoltaic systems

Abstract

The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) systems has increased the importance of effective occupational health and safety management throughout the system life cycle. While photovoltaic technology is generally considered a safe and sustainable energy solution, numerous technical, environmental, organizational, and occupational hazards remain present during manufacturing, installation, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning phases. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of risks associated with photovoltaic systems and proposes a Digital Twin-Assisted Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DT-FMEA) framework for integrated risk assessment. The proposed approach combines traditional risk assessment principles with digital twin technology, enabling continuous monitoring, predictive diagnostics, and dynamic risk evaluation. The framework integrates technical, health-related, environmental, and social risk factors into a unified model capable of supporting predictive maintenance and proactive safety management. The results indicate that digital twins can significantly improve hazard detection capabilities, reduce risk priority levels, and enhance the overall sustainability and safety performance of photovoltaic installations. The study contributes to the development of next-generation safety management systems for renewable energy infrastructures.