4. Site Analysis
Solar Radiation
Wind Velocity
Rainfall
Ambient Temperature
Humidity
Atmospheric Turbidity
Seismic Zone
Topography analysis
Soil testing
Ground water analysis
AF-Mercados EMI 4 FirstGreen
5. Basic Engineering
Plot plan,
Single Line Diagram (SLD)
Design data sheets for procurement Vendor list for the specified
technology
Project cost quotations
Prepare a list of codes and standards to be followed in the project
AF-Mercados EMI 5 FirstGreen
6. Technology Selection
Identification and selection of the technology in view the cost, availability,
accessibility, evacuation of power, and other forward and backward links
Assessment of various PV technologies (Crystalline, Thin Film,
Concentrated PV, Tracking, etc.) on the following parameters:
Current & future expected capital costs , Efficiencies (including sensitivity
to ambient temperature)
Performance of Solar Plants using the proposed technology, Operation &
Maintenance Practices
Auxiliary power consumption , Expected degradation of efficiency with
time
AF-Mercados EMI 6 FirstGreen
7. Feasibility Report
Introduction Project Equipment
Executive Summary Specifications
Project Justification Quality Control and
Inspection
Salient Features of the Site
Plant Operation and
Power Sale Arrangement Maintenance
Technology Selection Project Cost and
Generation Cost
Description of Balance of System
Financial Analysis
Instrumentation & Control Systems
Risk Factors and
Project Codes and Standards Management Perception
Project Materials Specifications
AF-Mercados EMI 7 FirstGreen
8. Financial Planning
Collecting budgetary quotes from short-listed technology providers
Detailed budget with costs for the Project
Identify and define key parameters and assumptions for the cash flow
Prepare detailed financial models for the Project to forecast the:
Internal Rate of Return
Net Present Value
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
Sensitivity analysis on various costs, interest rate, and other parameters
as required.
AF-Mercados EMI 8 FirstGreen
9. Plant Design
Inverter design
Transformer design Plant Illumination design
Array Junction Box, String Monitoring Metering Cubicle Design
Box, Distribution box, surge and
lightning arrestors, Switchyard design Designing of plant auxiliary
power consumption
SCADA design (remote monitoring
philosophy) Interconnection to grid
specification while taking into
Auxiliary transformer and distribution account the state utility
board design regulations and CERC
guidelines
Vigilance System Design – The entire
PV plant will have PTZ (Pan, tilt and Detailing of power evacuation
zoom) type camera with night vision. scheme and estimation of
They should be integrated with control expenses for the same
room.
Major equipment specification
AF-Mercados EMI 9 FirstGreen
10. Civil and Structural Design
Module mounting structure design based on Internal roads & pathways design
site specific wind load
Water treatment plant sizing
Design of Foundation for module mounting
Fire system Design
structure
Earthing Pit design Control Room /Office Building
Design
Cable trenches, routing design
Landscaping design
Drainage facility design
Security room design
Compound Fencing Design
Site office design
Array cleaning system design
AF-Mercados EMI 10 FirstGreen
11. Construction delays
Design flaws. Poor design of components, such as the support
structures, lead to costly and time-consuming remedial measures.
Poorly planned construction schedule. The illogical sequencing of
construction tasks caused a number of delays:
Monsoon rains restricted access to the site as the access road had
not been sealed. The access route should have been sealed well
before the arrival of the monsoon.
Modules were damaged (and were at risk of theft) as they were
stored unprotected on site for long periods of time. Modules and
other valuable components should not be delivered to site until
shortly before they are required. If they must be delivered earlier
then they should be stored in a controlled and secure environment.
AF-Mercados EMI 11 FirstGreen
12. Quality issues in construction
Foundations in incorrect locations.
Poor alignment of foundations.
Cracked and damaged foundations.
Elements of the supporting structure left unattached.
Poorly aligned solar modules.
Damaged solar modules.
Poor attention to detail in finishing of substation buildings.
AF-Mercados EMI 12 FirstGreen
13. Commissioning of the project
Commissioning should follow the procedure described in IEC
62445 and prove three main criteria:
The power plant is structurally and electrically safe.
The power plant is sufficiently robust (structurally and
electrically) to operate for the specified lifetime of a project.
The power plant operates as designed and its performance
is as expected.
AF-Mercados EMI 13 FirstGreen
14. Commissioning
Open Circuit Voltage Test
This test checks whether all strings are properly connected (module and
string polarity) and whether all modules are producing the voltage level as
per the module data sheet. The test should be conducted for all strings.
The open circuit voltage, Voc, should be recorded and compared with
temperature adjusted theoretical values.
Short Circuit Current test
This test verifies whether all strings are properly connected and the
modules are producing the expected current. The test should be
conducted for all strings. The short circuit current, Isc, should be recorded
and compared with the temperature adjusted theoretical values.
AF-Mercados EMI 14 FirstGreen
15. Grid Connection
Grid connection should only be performed once all DC
string testing has been completed. It is likely that the
distribution or transmission system operator will wish to
witness the connection of the grid and/or the protection
relay.
Such a preference should be agreed in advance as part of
the connection agreement.
The grid connection agreement often stipulates the level of
parameters—such as electrical protection, disconnection
and fault—to which the PV power plant is required to
adhere. Usually, these conditions need to be met before
commissioning the grid connection.
AF-Mercados EMI 15 FirstGreen
16. Post Connection Acceptance Testing
Once the power plant is connected to the grid, the inverters will be
powered up according to the manufacturer’s start-up sequence.
Inverter internal meters and displays should be verified prior to use.
Post grid connection should include:
• DC current test.
• Performance ratio test.
AF-Mercados EMI 16 FirstGreen
18. Operation and Maintenance
Maintenance can be broken down as
follows:
Scheduled or preventative
maintenance – Planned in advance
and aimed at preventing faults from
occurring, as well as keeping the
plant operating at its optimum level.
Unscheduled maintenance – Carried
out in response to failures.
AF-Mercados EMI 18 FirstGreen
