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

: 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 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 bencmarks 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.