During Pre Bid Assistance, Solpath engineers visit the expected project site to verify its suitability for solar. On the basis of the data collected during visit and the energy generation simulations carried out, Solpath proposes the financial model to the Project Developer from which bidding tariff is derived. Solpath’s financial model for the project – based on many years of iteration – gives sensitivity analysis across input parameters including project costs, generation, debt assumptions and more to ensure bidder has a holistic view.

Solpath ranks the land parcels available on the basis of parameters affecting EPC Costs and Revenues from the project:

LAND

– Expected generation calculated should be based on dependable data
– Soil type would determine the cost of the Module Mounting Structure
– Shape of the land would decide the area required per MW of installation
– Land should have clear ownership and should not be in dispute

Substation

– Substation should not be far from the land as it would result in cost escalation for the evacuation infrastructure and greater transmission loss
– Substation should have a high Grid Uptime
– Substation should have space for construction of bay and capacity to evacuate power

Others

– Availability of Construction Power, Water and Labor
– The Terrain and Ease of Access to the Site

Solpath conduct comprehensive analysis for:

– Choice of Technology
– Choice of EPC Contractor
– Financing Options Available

These inputs are then taken into financial model to arrive at bidding tariff.
Lastly, Solpath assists in preparation of Request for Submission and other Tender Documents for bidding.

Solpath is a GEDA empanelled making our Detailed Project Reports bankable.Apart from this Solpath Solar Consultant also assists in filing of documents with lending institutions, thus making the process of financial closure smooth and relatively fast.

Indicative Table of Contents of Detailed Project Report  :

– INTRODUCTION
– INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
– MARKET FOR SOLAR POWER – INDIA
– PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
– PROJECT SITE DETAILS AND ASSESSMENT 
– TECHNOLOGY SELECTION
– STRUCTURAL CIVIL DESIGN
– PROJECT REGISTRATION AND CLEARANCES 
– POWER PLANT DESIGN CRITERIA
– MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE SOLAR PLANT 
– POWER EVACUATION AND INTERFACING WITH THE GRID
– ESTIMATION OF ANNUAL ENERGY YIELD 
– OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
– SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 
– PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
– RISK ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION
– PROJECT VIABILITY AND CONCLUSION
– ANNEXURE – I MEAN GLOBAL RADIATION DATA AND OTHER SOURCES 
– ANNEXURE -II PATTERN OF ENERGY GENERATION AND CUF – MONTH WISE
– ANNEXURE – III ENERGY GENERATION REPORT
– ANNEXURE – IV MODULE DATA SHEET
– ANNEXURE – V INVERTER DATA SHEET 

There are 200+Solar EPC Contractors in India with varying expertise and costs. Solpath follows a tailor made scoring matrix to shortlist and select. Further, good and exhaustive EPC contracts ensure easier financing and risk mitigation with exhaustive scope of work and guarantees. Alternatively, if the Project Owner wants to build the project itself, Solpath also assists in Procurement of equipment
and different contractor packages

Release of Request for Proposal :

– Defining exhaustive scope of work with well defined Quality criteria including designing, civil work, electrical work,testing,Operation & Maintenance and Guarantees
– Arranging and Coordinating pre/post bid meetings for clarification to the queries of bidders

Shortlisting & Finalization :

– Defining criteria for comparison
– Preparing comprehensive scoring sheet according to weightage and qualifying criteria
– Arrival at final scores for responses from EPC contractors
– Conducting background checks in Tie-ups for equipment supply
– Conducting rounds of negotiation

Drafting Contracts :  

– General & Specific terms of Agreement 
– Commercial terms 
– Warranty terms

Solpath’s Experienced team of engineers is capable of designing the plant itself as well as the vetting of contractor drawings.The designs are made or checked for compliance to scope of work as included in the contract, IEC and statuary requirements, generation and cost optimization, project safety and grid infrastructure.

Solar Electrical DC (Pre Inverter) 

PROJECT LAYOUT:

– Shadow losses can be significant depending on distance between modules
– Location of inverters can significantly control costs and losing cables

STRING COMBINER BOX:

– Inappropriate fuse rating poses risk to the modules and inverters
– Enough redundancy ensures higher equipment up time
– IP protection is essential to withstand the vagaries of nature
– Busbar sizing is critical to the safety of the equipment

CABLE SIZING:

– Increases cost and losses if inappropriately sized 
– UV protection and conduiting to prevent degradation because of exposure

– SCADA SYSTEM:

Monitoring at micro level ensures the accurate energy generation measurement and detection & retification of faults in minimum time.

Solar Electrical AC (Post Inverter) :
 
Transformer Rating:

– Can lead to loss in energy generation in case it is not sized optimally
– Enough redundancy ensures higher equipment uptime

LT AND HT PANELS:

– Appropriate relays ensure the maximum protection of the plant and detection of faults
– CT /PT Ratios need to follow the approved grid requirements

CONDUCTOR SIZING:

– Increases costs and losses in case of inappropriate sizing
– Appropriate protection in accordance with design fault current

Civil & Structural Drawings 

LAND DEVELOPMENT:

– Should be in accordance to the Topographic survey to minimize cutting/ filling and nevertheless provide similar heights for structures in a row

MODULE MOUNTING STRUCTURE:

– Should have correct clearance from the ground
– Should be designed according to the wind and seismic zone of the site

COMMON FACILITIES:

– Access roads should be provided in accordance to the shape of the land to ensure access to the whole plant particularly for heavy vehicles
– Drainage should be designed as per the rain pattern of the location and have slope according to the final drain outlet of the plant

INVERTER & CONTROL ROOM:

– Provision of natural/ forced ventilation
– Provision of natural/ forced ventilation

Solar PV project is a 25 year investment. It is important to maintain strict quality standards to ensure long term return from the project. Furthur delayed construction at the minimum leads to delayed revenue and increase in cost and at maximum can lead to cancellation of the project altogether. Effective construction supervision by Solpath Energy ensures quality, safety and adherence to implementation schedule.

– Establish communication procedures between the onwer’s and contractor’s site and HQ teams for the relevant functionsand issues 
– Monitor overall project progress and submit the Daily,Weekly and Monthly reports for plan Vs actual and the reason for deviations along with revised recovery plans for the overall activities for the project.
– Prepare periodical reports for submission to lenders, investors and the various Governement bodies as required 
– Organise and participate in the periodical project coordination meetings/Teleconference calls with relevant stakeholders
– Proactively identify all risks and recommend actions to mitigate the same
– Review of construction works for Quality standards and submission of timely reports.
– Assist the site team in resolving Design,Quality, Contract and Site Management related issues

Solpath’s team of engineer’s onsite and at client office manage the process of exhaustive plant handover including – Project documentation, Punch Points clearance, Pre commissioning and Performance Acceptance Testing etc. The thoroughness of plant handover is essential for proper construction closure and plant maintenance of the plant in the long term

Plant Testing & Commissioning :
 
– Review Pre commissioning checklists for various systems and equipment & monitor completion
– Review of documentation for testing and commissioning processes and certify test reports submitted by contractor
– Coordinate with Owners and Contractor for planning and monitoring of the testing and commissioning activities of the plant, – substation and transmission line as per plan
– Witness Plant acceptance Performance Ratio test as agreed in the contract

Documentation Hand Over :

– Permits and Clearances obtained for the project As built drawings
– Equipment installation and Maintenance Manuals 
– Plant & Equipment Test Reports
– Warranty & Guaranty Documents 

Solpath over it’s large spread of projects across has acquired strong hands on knowledge on permits required for a project and documentation necessary to acquire these permits, Solpath’s team works with its clients to submit and followup with the authorities to ensure that the project is not subjected to any delays on account of approvals

State Power Utility and CEIG related : 

– Apply for temporary power connection from utility
– CEIG approval on the electrical layout of the plant
– State Power Utility/Local Agency Supervision Application and Payment for Substation
– CT & PT testing and inspection
– Transmission Line Permits
– Power Evacuation for permits