Professional Project Management: Critical for Solar Power Generation Projects

In today’s world renewable energy and in particular Solar energy has become a crucial source of
energy due to various advantages, and often mandatory for state & central governments to adhere
to the Clean Energy commitments. With the project costs gradually coming down in the last decade
this sector has seen exponential growth and holds a huge potential in the coming years.
For medium to large scale Solar Power Plants concept to implementation to revenue generation is
the typical life cycle, needs to be handled by techno-commercial experts with a clear vision about
the scope, technology, capital costs and a solid grip on the always sensitive timelines. With Time,
Cost & Scope being critical to the success of the Solar projects, devising a perfect project
management methodology for such projects has become extremely important.
Though once the size, technology & location of the project is defined the entire project can follow
the Waterfall project management methodology, sometimes certain amount of flexibility can be
incorporated by integrating agile/adaptive methodology too. For taking care of these critical project
foundation decisions, a professional project management team is inevitable.
Solar projects are conceptualized, designed & developed by a group of technical & commercial
experts, a seamless integration & control of the entire Project is supremely important for the success
of the Project objectives. Hence a Project Management Office should be engaged by the Project
developer.
The PMO @ STRAT-Edgy addresses the following process groups typical for a Solar Power
Generation Project:
Project Initiation
1. Highlighting potential risks associated with the project and providing appropriate mitigatory
techniques.
2. Identifying technical constraints at the initial stages of the project.
3. Estimating the maximum production potential of the plant.
4. Evaluating optimized Technologies for the project.
5. Supporting client in taking informed decisions.
Project Planning
1. Site selection (Screening studies, Site visits to identify most suitable sites.)

2. Energy yield estimation (Solar resource assessment, both ground measured and satellite
based.)
3. Uncertainty analysis (P50, P75, P90 and P99 production forecasts.)
4. Technology assessment.
5. Tilt/pitch.
6. Overloading analysis.
7. Grid connection assessment.
8. Basic engineering.
9. Hydrological assessment.
10. Project risk analysis.
11. Financial modelling.
12. Preparing reports for pre-feasibility, detailed feasibility, energy yield assessment and
detailed project reports (DPR).
13. Project Development Plan
Project Integrated Change Control
A) Request for Proposal (RFPs) Documentation
Our team prepares the RFPs for inviting bids from turnkey EPC or multi-split specialized contractors.
These majorly covers project brief, basic designs, sizing requirements and general technical
specifications. Typically, our RFPs include:
1. Project overview.
2. Project start-up and functional requirements.
3. Scope of work.
4. Contractor and owner’s basic obligations.
5. Division of responsibilities between the owner and contractor.
6. Project warranties and plant performance benchmarks.
7. Technical specifications.
8. Project performance guarantees.
9. Defect’s liability period.
10. Project acceptance criteria.
11. EPC contractor selection support

B) We assist our clients in prequalifying the contractors for bidding on the basis of their
capabilities, track record, experience, expertise and financial strengths. We then run the
bidding process for shortlisting the most appropriate contractors for the project. Our
proposal evaluation, helps clients to identify the risk allocated to each case and how to
manage the risk adequately.
Our support essentially helps the developers choose the best contractors for developing their solar
PV project.
1. Contractual support
2. We extend support through reviewing the key contractual elements, we ensure:
3. Completeness of scope for capital equipment supply, installation and commissioning.
4. Completeness of scope for BOP (Balance of Plant) supply, installation and commissioning.
5. Performance monitoring and performance guarantees.
6. Warranty periods and extent of warranty cover.
7. Service period, scope and length of service agreement.
8. Contractual provisions for testing and acceptance, including performance tests after
completion.
9. Adequacy of liquidated damages provisions, and limits of liability in the event of
performance shortfalls.

Project Monitoring & Quality Control
1. To ensure complete quality control, we adhere to the project specific approved drawings
and implementation of effective solar industry practices.
2. Timely updates to Developer about project progress and minor deviance observed from EPC
end in execution as per approved drawings for their immediate interfere and prompt
decision for maintaining the project quality and timeline.
3. Onsite inspection of all major components and material delivered for its adequacy for
erection, testing and commissioning. Early detection of defective components, which in turn
saves time and avoid project delays.
4. Providing the suitable mitigation technique and onsite solutions for the Request for
Deviation (RFD) due to site conditions in consultation with design experts for immediate
rectification at site.

5. Complete management of all project documents and records of the compliances verified on
site, for ensuring timely and smooth project handover process.
6. Equipment’s performance enhancement and durability over the project life.
7. Reduction in potential revenue loss due to delays and unwanted downtime.
8. Increasing investors' confidence and project bankability.
9. Witnessing on- site tests equipment to ensure its satisfactory working.
10. Witnessing of performance guarantee tests and certification process.
11. Witnessing of testing of all earthing system including test on individual earth pit.
12. Inspection of all inverters and SCB termination and Voc measurement.
13. Witnessing tests on switchyard equipment.
14. SCADA and Weather monitoring Station (WMS) Review.
15. Review of relay setting of the major equipment.
16. Testing and operation of fire alarm system.
We also conduct independent tests such as:
Peak Power Measurement / String Output Evaluation: Performed on a sample modules and strings,
we measure the I-V characteristics curve and ascertain the peak power, open circuit voltage, short
circuit current and the fill factor.
Irradiation Monitoring Equipment Validation: It is conducted to ascertain suitability and reliability of
irradiation monitoring sensor.
Performance Ratio Test: This test is conducted to verify that the power plant is performing at or
above an agreed performance ratio.