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How to plan for contingencies in solar project development

  • 2023-04-14 14:26:51
Adoption of solar energy has become easier and more common across the globe. The International Energy Agency predicts that global solar PV capacity will nearly triple between 2022 and 2027, making it the world's largest source of electricity generation. Inflation Reduction Act

Despite the enormous benefits of solar power, implementation is not always seamless. Sometimes developers can foresee common installation issues, but what about unique or site-specific challenges that arise when least expected?

With the right planning on the back end and always "expecting the unexpected", unforeseen challenges can be easily met. Here's how developers can implement creative and effective solutions when challenges arise.


environmental challenge

Fighting climate change is one of the biggest drivers for solar adoption, but during installation, developers need to make sure they don't do more harm than good.

Various environmental obstacles may exist. Appropriate development efforts will often uncover important considerations or red flags, such as native nesting or endangered species, and hazards such as floodplains, high wind exposure, or seismic zones. Developers should focus on accommodating or mitigating the impact of these issues in order to maintain the proposed planned development.

structural setbacks
Apart from nature, some additional hurdles developers face are often related to structural aspects or the makeup of a website. Reduce engineering hurdles by asking comprehensive, up-front questions about your site. If the project requires a ground installation combination, does the soil composition have the proper properties to install the necessary foundation? If the client wanted a garage canopy, would the concrete structure be able to withstand the additional load that would be placed on top of it? Will the roof last the life of the system, or will it need to be replaced early?

It is critical to work with a structural engineer to determine if any upgrades are required before or during the development process. When a customer's old roof won't last the full life of the system or the structure can't support the array, the developer can negotiate pricing for upgrades, such as a new roof, to be incorporated into the customer's power purchase agreement (PPA) rate, so they can grow over time Pay the upgrade fee as it goes by. Creative engineering solutions can also be employed, such as moving the position of the array on the roof or strategically reducing the number of ballasts.

interconnection barrier
Interconnect queue times have increased dramatically since 2005. With the rise of solar installations, there's no clear way for local utilities to handle interconnection -- making everyone handle it differently, while also adding to the difficulty of knowing in advance what to expect.

Overcoming interconnection barriers depends on coordination with local utilities. Due diligence must be done on the front end to mitigate as many issues as possible. Building a strong relationship with the utility company can help ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to costs and construction timelines. Having a pre-application meeting with the utility will go a long way in building relationships and uncovering any potential roadblocks, which can prove invaluable if something has to be done quickly during the development process.



Part of the initial investigation should include reviewing published online hosting capacity maps to see if the feeder is limited to that particular location. A solar technology assessment will determine the property's renewable energy potential. This report will be added to the construction schedule if necessary and will also need to be included in the client agreement.

© Copyright: 2024 Xiamen Wintop New Energy Tech Co., Ltd.. All Rights Reserved.

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