PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Pre-Feasibility Study Feasibility Study Development Detailed Design Construction

FEASIBILITY STUDY
Production of a detailed site plan. Calculation of solar resource and environmental characteristics. Assessment of shading (horizon and nearby buildings and objects). Outline layout of areas suitable for PV development. Assessment of technology options providing cost/ Benefit for the project location
Module type. Mounting system.

Outline system design.

Calculation of shade and initial PV plant layout Shading angles. O&M requirements. Module cleaning strategy. Tilt angle and orientation. Temperature and wind profiles of the site. Cable runs and electrical loss minimisation. Module selection. Inverter selection. Mounting frame or tracking system selection Electrical cabling design and single line diagrams. Electrical connections and monitoring equipment. Grid connection design. Full energy yield analysis using screened solar data and the optimised layout.

Application for outline planning permission. Grid connection - more detailed assessment of likelihood, cost and timing. Predicted energy yields Financial modelling.

DEVELOPMENT PHASE
Preparation and submission of the permit applications for the proposed solar PV project. Preparation and submission of a grid connection application. Revision of the design and planning permissions. Decision on contracting strategy (turnkey EPC contract or multicontract). Decision on the financing approach. Preparation of solar PV module tender documentation. Supplier selection and ranking. Preparation of construction tender documentation. Contractor selection and ranking. Contract negotiations. Completion of a bankable energy yield
assessment of inter-annual variation and yield confidence levels. Consideration of site-specific factors Full shading review of the PV generator Detailed losses. review of the proposed design ensure that parameters are within design tolerances.

Preparation of a financial model covering the full life cycle of the plant. Completion of a project risk analysis. Environmental impact assessment. Production of a detailed project report. Securing financing for the project.

PLANT DESIGN
Electrical Design
DC systems Array(s) of PV modules. Inverters. DC cabling (module, string and main cable). DC connectors (plugs and sockets). Junction boxes/combiners. Disconnects/switches. Protection devices. Earthing. AC systems AC cabling. Switchgear. Transformers. Substation. Earthing and surge protection.

Automatic data acquisition and monitoring technology Mounting structures

Control building Access roads Site security systems

PERMITS AND LICENSING

Land lease contract. Environmental impact assessment Building permit/planning consent Grid connection contract. Power purchase agreement.

COMMISSIONING TESTS
Visual acceptance tests. Pre-connection acceptance tests. Post-connection acceptance test. Performance ratio test Availability test

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Scheduled or preventative maintenance
Module cleaning. Checking module connection integrity Checking junction / string combiner boxes. Thermographic detection of faults. Inverter servicing. Inspecting mechanical integrity of mounting structures. Vegetation control. Routine balance of plant servicing / inspection.

Unscheduled maintenance

Tightening cable connections that have loosened Replacing blown fuses. Repairing lightning damage. Repairing equipment damaged by intruders or during module cleaning. Rectifying supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) faults. Repairing mounting structure faults. Rectifying tracking system faults.

ECONOMICS AND FINANCIAL MODELING

Capital costs. Operations and maintenance costs Annual energy yield. Energy price -. Certified Emission Reductions Financing assumptions Sensitivity analysis -

FINANCING PV PROJECTS
Legal due diligence permits and contracts (EPC and O&M). Insurance due diligence adequacy of the insurance policies Technical due diligence:
Sizing of the PV plant. Layout of the PV modules, mounting and/or trackers, and inverters. Electrical design layout and sizing. Technology review of major components(modules/inverters/mounting or trackers). Energy yield assessments. Contract assessments (EPC, O&M, grid connection, power purchase and Feedin Tariff ( FiT) regulations). Financial model assumptions.

DETAILED PROJECT REPORT

Site layout
Mounting frame and module layout. Inverter locations and foundations/housings. Security measures. Buildings and other infrastructures.

Initial electrical layouts:

Schematics of module connections through to the inverter. Single line diagrams showing anticipated cable routes. Grid connection and potential substation requirements.

Bill of materials for major equipment. Energy yield analysis.

Losses assumed with regard to the energy yield forecast.

Financial model inputs including:

Long term O&M costs and contingencies. Availability assumptions. Degradation of module performance assumptions. Spare parts inventory cost. Connection cost for electricity and services.

Details of the permitting and planning status. Environmental impact assessment, restrictions and mitigation plans.

DETAILED DESIGN
Detailed layout design. Detailed civil design
Buildings Foundations Access roads Drainage Water supply

Electrical detailed design.

Overall single line diagrams. MV & LV switchgear line diagrams. Protection systems. Interconnection systems and design. Auxiliary power requirements. Control systems.

Revised energy yield. Construction plans. Project schedule. Interface matrix. Commissioning plans.

PLANT DESIGN
Technology Selection
Modules Quality Benchmarks Product guarantee Power guarantee Lifetime Inverters Quality Benchmarks Incorrect polarity protection for the DC cable. Over-voltage and overload protection. Islanding detection for grid connected systems Insulation monitoring. Mounting Structures Concrete piers cast in-situ Pre-cast concrete ballasts Driven piles Earth screws

Layout and Shading

General Layout Tilt Angle Inter-Row Spacing Orientation

Electrical Design
DC systems PV Array Design

Inverter Sizing Cable Selection and Sizing Cable Management Module and String Cables Main DC Cable Junction Boxes Connectors String Fuses DC Switching DC Switches/Disconnects DC Circuit Breaker Quality Benchmarks AC systems AC Cabling. AC Switchgear. Sizing and Selecting Transformers Substation Metering Data Monitoring/SCADA Auxiliary equipment

LV power supplies. Back-up power supplies. Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) batteries. Diesel generators. Auxiliary transformers and grid connections. Telephone and internet connections. Lighting.

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Water supplies. Drainage. Fire and intruder alarms.

Earthing and surge protection. Array frame earthing. System earthing (DC conductor earthing) Inverter earthing. Lightning and surge protection. Quality Benchmarks

Infrastructure
Office LV/MV station MV/HV station Communications Quality Benchmarks

Site Security
visibility of the power plant fence with anti-climb protection Security cameras, lights and microwave sensors Quality Benchmarks Anti-theft module mounting bolts Anti-theft module fibre systems guarding station with security guard alarm system fitted to power plant gate alarm system in the medium voltage station alarm system in the metering station alarm system in the portable cabins

Monitoring and Forecasting

Monitoring Technology

On-site weather stations Meteorological data gathered from weather satellites Local weather stations Forecasting Technology Quality Benchmarks

Optimising System Design Design Documentation Requirements

Datasheets of modules, inverters, array mounting system and other system components Wiring diagrams Layout drawings Mounting structure drawings Mounting structural calculations detailed resource assessment and energy yield prediction. design report

PERMITS AND LICENSING

Permitting, Licensing and Regulatory Requirements - General
Land lease contract. EIA. Building permit/planning consent. Grid connection contract. Power purchase agreement.

Social and Environmental Sustainability Permitting, Licensing and Regulatory Requirements - India
Project Start-up

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy State Nodal Agencies Ministry of Civil Aviation Ministry of Defence Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Land Agreement Project Development and Implementation District Advisory Committee Planning Department Archaeological Department - Consultation and approval from the relevant archaeological department will confirm that the land acquired for the project is not of historical significance. Fire Safety Authority Forest Authority Pollution Control Board -. Irrigation Department -. Industrial Development Corporation Local Governing Bodies Construction power requirements Environmental Impact Assessment -

POWER EXPORT
Grid Connection Electrical Inspectorate -

CONSTRUCTION
Introduction

Interface Management Programme and Scheduling

Scheduling Tasks and durations. Restrictions placed on any task Contingency of each task. Milestones and key dates. Interdependencies between tasks Parties responsible for tasks Project critical path. Actual progress against plan. Risk Management

Programme Site access. Security. Foundation construction Module assembly. Mounting frame construction Substation construction. Electrical site works. Grid interconnection works. Commissioning and testing

Cost Management
Earned value management Completion certificates Snagging lists Take-Over certificates

Contractor Warranties
Warranty Duration

Quality Management Environmental Management

General Air Emissions and Ambient Air Quality Energy Conservation. Wastewater Water Quality Water Conservation Hazardous Materials Management

Wastewater and Waste Management. Noise Emissions Contaminated Land.

Health and Safety Management

General Facility Design and Operation Communication and Training. Physical Hazards. Chemical Hazards. Biological Hazards. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Special Hazard Environments. Monitoring. Community Health and Safety Water Quality and Availability. Structural Safety of Project Infrastructure Life and Fire Safety (L&FS Traffic Safety. Transport of Hazardous Materials Disease Prevention Emergency Preparedness and Response.

DESIGN REVIEWS

Design basis statements Studies/investigations Design specifications Design of structures Drawings (all revisions) Calculations Execution plans Risk assessments and method statements Quality plans Safety plans/reports Material and equipment selection O&M manuals Test reports.

COMMISSIONING
General
Module strings. Inverters. Transformers. Switchgear. Lightning protection systems. Earthing protection systems. Electrical protection systems.

Grid connection compliance protection and disconnection systems. Monitoring systems (including irradiation sensors). Support structure and tracking systems

Pre-Connection Acceptance Testing

Open Circuit Voltage Test. Short Circuit Current Test.

Grid Connection Post Connection Acceptance Testing

DC current test. Performance ratio test. Availability Test

Provisional Acceptance Handover Documentation

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Scheduled/Preventative Maintenance
Module Cleaning Module Connection Integrity Junction or String Combiner Box Hot Spots Inverter Servicing Structural Integrity Tracker Servicing Balance of Plant Vegetation Control

Unscheduled maintenance
Tightening cable connections that have loosened Replacing blown fuses Repairing lightning damage Repairing equipment damaged by intruders. Repairing equipment damaged during module cleaning. Rectifying SCADA faults. Repairing mounting structure faults Rectifying tracking system faults.

Spares Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Optimisation Contracts

Purpose Contractor Services and Obligations Obligations on the Owner Standards, Legislation and Guidelines Payment Warranties Legal Insurance Term of Agreement Response Time Selecting a Contractor

ECONOMICS AND FINANCIAL MODEL

Economic Benefits and Costs

Local Economic Benefits and Costs National Economic Benefits and Costs Benefits to Developers

CERC Cost Benchmarks

Capital Cost Tariff Structure Operations and Maintenance Financial Model Capital Costs Annual Energy Yield Energy Price Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) Financing Assumptions Project Economics and Financial Modelling Results Sensitivity Analysis

FINANCING PV PROJECTS
Project Financing
Financing Alternatives Lender Evaluation of Project

Risks
General Business Risks Interest Rates Leverage New Business Start-up Technical Risks

Solar Module Inverters and Cabling Technology Failure Solar Irradiation Risk Solar Module Degradation Pre Completion Risks Cost Overrun Delay in Completion Permits, Grid Applications and Feed-in Tariff Grid Connection Delay in Obtaining an Operating Permit Post Completion Risks Market Risk Change of Legislation Operational Considerations

Insurance
Introduction General Liability Insurance Property Risk Insurance Environmental Risk Insurance Business Interruption Insurance MILESTONE-1: MODULE TO PCU OUTPUT- DETAIL DESIGN DETAILED DESIGN OF GROUND PREPARATION FOR OTHER STRUCTURE DESIGN DETAILED DESIGN OF FOUNDATION FOR STRUCTURE DETAILED DESIGN OF DC NETWORK

1 2 3 4 5

DETAILED DESIGN FOR LAYOUT OF PCU ROOM ALONGWITH FOUNDATIONS. CABLE ENTRY CUT OUT ETC (INCLUDING DOWNSTREAM AND UPSTREAM CONNECTIONS)

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

MILESTONE-2: DC SIDE SUPPLY OF 50 MWp CRYSTALINE MODULES SUPPLY OF 500KW Cd-Te THIN FILM MODULES SUPPLY OF 500 KW A-Si THIN FILM MODULES SUPPLY OF STRING MONITORING SYSTEM SUPPLY OF SOLAR DC CABLE SUPPLY OF INVERTERS FOR 9 MW SUPPLY OF 8MW FIXED STRUCTURES SUPPLY OF 1MW SINGLE AXIS TRACKER MILESTONE-3: AC SIDE SUPPLY OF TRANSFORMERS 1.25 MVA, 330 KV/11KV SUPPLY OF TRANSFORMERS 12.5 MVA, 11 KV/66KV SUPPLY OF 11KV PANEL SUPPLY OF AC CABLE SUPPLY OF SWITCHYARD ITEMS 66 KV

22 23 24 25 26 27

MILESTONE-4: SUB SYSTEM SUPPLY OF SCADA SYSTEM SUPPLY OF SOLAR OBSERVATORY AND WEATHER SYSTEM SUPPLY OF PLANT SECURITY SYSTEM BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS SUPPLY OF MODULE WASHING SYSTEM

28 29 30 31

SUPPLY OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT SUPPLY OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM SUPPLY OF AUXILIARY POWER SYSTEM/ DC EMERGENCY SYSTEM SUPPLY OF HVAC SYSTEM

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

MILESTONE-5: ERECTION OF ALL SYSTEM FOUNDATION WORKS ERECTION OF STRUCTURES FIXED 50 MWp ERECTION OF 50 MWp SINGLE AXIS TRACKER ERECTION OF 50 MWp MODULES ERECTION OF 500 KW Cd-Te THIN FILM MODULES ERECTION OF 500 KW A-Si THIN FILM MODULES INSTALLATION OF STRING MONITORING SYSTEM LAYING OF SOLAR DC SYSTEM, LAYING OF SOLAR DC CABLE

40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

INSTALLATION OF INVERTERS FOR 50 MWp INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMERS 1.25 MVA, 330/11 KV INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMERS 12.05 MVA, 11/66 KV INSTALLATION OF 11 KV PANEL LAYING OF AC CABLE INSTALLATION OF SWITCHYARD ITEMS INSTALLATION OF SCADA SYSTEM INSTALLATION OF SOWS INSTALLATION OF PLANT SECURITY SYSTEM INSTALLATION OF BUILDINGS

50 51 52 53 54

INSTALLATION OF MODULES WASHING SYSTEM INSTALLATION OF FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM INSTALLATION OF AUXILIARY POWER/ DC EMERGENCY SYSTEM INSTALLATION OF HVAC SYSTEM

55 56 57 58 59

MILESTONE-6: TESTING AND COMMISSIONING PRE-COMMISSIONING COMMISSIONING/ SYNCHRONISATION RELIABILITY TESTING/ PG TESTING HANDING OVER