Benchmarking of solar farms: A SMART framework for energy auditing and performance evaluation

Kaovinath Appalasamy; Rizalman Mamat; Sudhakar Kumarasamy

doi:10.1016/j.jnlest.2026.100369

Journal of Electronic Science and Technology ›› 2026, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (3) :100369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnlest.2026.100369

Special Section on Energy-Efficient Technologies

research-article

Benchmarking of solar farms: A SMART framework for energy auditing and performance evaluation

Kaovinath Appalasamy ¹^,²
, Rizalman Mamat ¹^,⁴^,^*
, Sudhakar Kumarasamy ¹^,³^,⁵^,^*

Author information +

¹ Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Malaysia

² Centre for Automotive Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Malaysia

³ Centre of Sustainable Fluid Energy Research (Fluid Energy), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, 26300, Malaysia

⁴ Centre for Advanced Mobility and Aerospace, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Malaysia

⁵ Energy Centre, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, 462003, India

^* E-mail addresses: kaoviappala@gmail.com (K. Appalasamy),

rizalman@umpsa.edu.my (R. Mamat),

sudhakar@umpsa.edu.my (S. Kumarasamy).

Kaovinath Appalasamy received the B.Eng. degree in mechanical engineering from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Pekan, Malaysia in 2024. He is currently pursuing the M.Eng. degree in mechanical engineering at UMPSA, where he also serves as a Graduate Researcher. His research interests include solar energy engineering, renewable energy, smart thermal management of photovoltaic systems, and wireless predictive maintenance frameworks for utility-scale solar farms. He is also the awardee of UMPSA merit scholarship for pursuing his postgraduate research

Rizalman Mamat received the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. He is currently working as a Professor with the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, UMPSA. His research interests include internal combustion engines, alternative and biofuels, renewable energy, heat transfer, and nanolubricant applications

Sudhakar Kumarasamy received the B.Eng. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Madras, Chennai, India in 2001. He obtained the M.Tech. degree in energy management from Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India in 2006, and the Ph.D. degree in energy engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India in 2013. He is currently working as an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, UMPSA. Recognised as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (top 1% scientist), his research interests include energy transition, low-carbon technologies, decarbonisation, agrivoltaics, energy auditing, and sustainability assessment

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Abstract

Energy auditing is critical for sustaining the performance and reliability of solar power plants, yet current practices are fragmented and lack a standardised approach for industry application. This study introduces the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) framework, a first-of-its-kind, standards-aligned methodology that unifies verified performance equations, benchmark thresholds, and mitigation strategies drawn from internationally recognised standards and peer-reviewed literature. Unlike conventional audits that assess isolated metrics, the SMART framework integrates data acquisition, performance evaluation, loss analysis, and corrective planning into one reproducible process. It benchmarks key performance indicators, including system efficiency, specific yield, performance ratio (PR), and temperature and mismatch losses, to provide clear, actionable insights into plant operation. Designed for direct industry use, the framework is practical, scalable, and adaptable across diverse plant sizes and configurations. By transforming scattered academic knowledge into a structured, field-ready toolkit, this study establishes a groundbreaking pathway for transparent and replicable solar power plant auditing.

Keywords

Degradation assessment / Energy loss / Energy management / Operations and maintenance / Performance ratio (PR) / Utility-scale photovoltaics

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Kaovinath Appalasamy, Rizalman Mamat, Sudhakar Kumarasamy. Benchmarking of solar farms: A SMART framework for energy auditing and performance evaluation. Journal of Electronic Science and Technology, 2026, 24 (3) : 100369 DOI:10.1016/j.jnlest.2026.100369

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