1. Solar Energy Commercialization Session 16
SEC598S19
Solar Energy Commercialization
Session 16
Utility Scale Solar Development
Installation & Commissioning
March 11, 2019

2. Session 16 - Value to class members
This session examines utility scale installation and commissioning processes, including:
Site preparation
Site access
Equipment installation
Electrical components
Monitoring

3. Utility Scale PV Systems (References)
A.Fong and J.Tippett, Project Development in the Solar Industry, CRC Press, 2013
S.Neill, G.Stapleton, and C.Martell, Solar Farms, Routledge, 2017

4. Utility Scale PV Systems
Design Steps
Selecting an appropriate site and solving all land issues
Carrying out the permitting process for construction and operation
Selecting a financing approach including power purchase agreements or energy off-take agreements
Carrying out PV system and solar field engineering and design
Interconnection to the grid

5. Utility Scale - Solar Farm Design
Steps in Solar Farm Design
Design calculations
Electrical design considerations
System monitoring
System equipment selection
Installation issues
Yield calculations

6. Utility Scale - Solar Farm Installation
Solar Farms
Chapter 5

7. Utility Scale - Solar Farm Installation
Solar Farms
Chapter 5

8. Utility Scale - Solar Farm Installation
Steps in Solar Farm Installation Preparation
Site Contractors
Construction Plan
Tasks, subtasks, and duration of each
Health and safety requirements
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 compared to plan
Solar Farms
Chapter 5

9. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Foundations
Helical Piles
Solar Farms Chapter 5

10. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Foundations
Driven Piles
Solar Farms Chapter 5

11. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Foundations
Ballasts
Solar Farms Chapter 5

12. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Mounting Frames
Solar Farms Chapter 5

13. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Mounting Frames
Solar Farms Chapter 5

14. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Mounting Frames
Solar Farms Chapter 5

15. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Mounting Frames
Solar Farms Chapter 5

16. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Mounting Frames
Solar Farms Chapter 5

17. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Mounting Frames (midclamps)
Solar Farms Chapter 5

18. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Module wiring
MC4
Solar Farms Chapter 5

19. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Module wiring
Minimized inductive loop
Large inductive loop
Solar Farms Chapter 5

20. Solar Farm Design – Installation
Module wiring
Solar Farms Chapter 5

21. Utility Scale PV Systems
Commissioning
Commissioning includes (but is more than) a set of start-up or closeout procedures, which are generally steps employed before energizing any electrical component to ensure electrical safety.
Commissioning is defined as a standardized and unbiased process that not only guarantees the safe operation of a PV system, but also confirms, via independent verification activities, that its documentation is correct and that it is performing as expected.
Ref [2]

22. Utility Scale PV Systems
Commissioning
Commissioning may include “in-house” testing by the solar installation companies, but most contracts specify the inclusion of a third-party commissioning report – for validation and verification
The third-party evaluator represents the system owner, not the installer
Ref [2]

23. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
Preconstruction
Commissioning process begins during the project planning stage:
To prepare a construction inspection list
To analyze job hazards
To develop a plan that reflects test priorities
Ref [2]

24. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
Preconstruction
Prepare checklists
Standard and Codes
Analyze hazards
OSHA requirements
Develop test plans
Visual examination
Performance tests
Operational tests
Ref [2]

25. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
Postconstruction
Verification
Installation is complete
Installation is safe
Installation is aesthetically acceptable
Installation is robust and permanent
System performance and operation
Documentation
As-built conditions
Acceptance forms
Ref [2]

26. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
System performance and operation
Verification of performance
Nameplate
System
factor
Irradiance
factor
Temperature
factor
Ref [2]

27. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
System performance and operation
Voltage measurements
Vmp for each string
VOC for each string
Ground fault checks
VOC from + to ground and VOC from - to ground
Ref [2]

28. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
System performance and operation
IR thermography
Cracked cells, hotspots
Defective diodes, failed modules
Non-operational strings
Walk through and/or aerial (drone) examinations
Ref [2]

29. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning

30. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning

31. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
I-V curve tracers

32. Utility Scale PV Systems - Commissioning
Additional Resources