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 multi- contract).

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 Feed-in 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 Insurance1 MILESTONE-1: MODULE TO PCU OUTPUT- DETAIL DESIGN

2 DETAILED DESIGN OF GROUND PREPARATION FOR OTHER

3 STRUCTURE DESIGN

4 DETAILED DESIGN OF FOUNDATION FOR STRUCTURE

5 DETAILED DESIGN OF DC NETWORK

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

7 MILESTONE-2: DC SIDE

8 SUPPLY OF 50 MWp CRYSTALINE MODULES

9 SUPPLY OF 500KW Cd-Te THIN FILM MODULES

10 SUPPLY OF 500 KW A-Si THIN FILM MODULES

11 SUPPLY OF STRING MONITORING SYSTEM

12 SUPPLY OF SOLAR DC CABLE

13 SUPPLY OF INVERTERS FOR 9 MW

14 SUPPLY OF 8MW FIXED STRUCTURES

15 SUPPLY OF 1MW SINGLE AXIS TRACKER

16 MILESTONE-3: AC SIDE

17 SUPPLY OF TRANSFORMERS 1.25 MVA, 330 KV/11KV

18 SUPPLY OF TRANSFORMERS 12.5 MVA, 11 KV/66KV

19 SUPPLY OF 11KV PANEL

20 SUPPLY OF AC CABLE

21 SUPPLY OF SWITCHYARD ITEMS 66 KV

22 MILESTONE-4: SUB SYSTEM

23 SUPPLY OF SCADA SYSTEM

24 SUPPLY OF SOLAR OBSERVATORY AND WEATHER SYSTEM

25 SUPPLY OF PLANT SECURITY SYSTEM

26 BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS

27 SUPPLY OF MODULE WASHING SYSTEM

28 SUPPLY OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

29 SUPPLY OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM

30 SUPPLY OF AUXILIARY POWER SYSTEM/ DC EMERGENCY SYSTEM

31 SUPPLY OF HVAC SYSTEM

32 MILESTONE-5: ERECTION OF ALL SYSTEM

33 FOUNDATION WORKS

34 ERECTION OF STRUCTURES FIXED 50 MWp

35 ERECTION OF 50 MWp SINGLE AXIS TRACKER

36 ERECTION OF 50 MWp MODULES

37 ERECTION OF 500 KW Cd-Te THIN FILM MODULES

38 ERECTION OF 500 KW A-Si THIN FILM MODULES

39 INSTALLATION OF STRING MONITORING SYSTEM

LAYING OF SOLAR DC SYSTEM,

LAYING OF SOLAR DC CABLE

40 INSTALLATION OF INVERTERS FOR 50 MWp

41 INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMERS 1.25 MVA, 330/11 KV

42 INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMERS 12.05 MVA, 11/66 KV

43 INSTALLATION OF 11 KV PANEL

44 LAYING OF AC CABLE

45 INSTALLATION OF SWITCHYARD ITEMS

46 INSTALLATION OF SCADA SYSTEM

47 INSTALLATION OF SOWS

48 INSTALLATION OF PLANT SECURITY SYSTEM

49 INSTALLATION OF BUILDINGS

50 INSTALLATION OF MODULES WASHING SYSTEM

51 INSTALLATION OF FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM

52 INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM

53 INSTALLATION OF AUXILIARY POWER/ DC EMERGENCY SYSTEM

54 INSTALLATION OF HVAC SYSTEM

55 MILESTONE-6: TESTING AND COMMISSIONING

56 PRE-COMMISSIONING

57 COMMISSIONING/ SYNCHRONISATION

58 RELIABILITY TESTING/ PG TESTING

59 HANDING OVER