Electricity + Control April 2018

TRANSFORMERS + SUBSTATIONS

Solar Implementations − What you Need to Know Upfront

Kevin Norris, Jasco Intelligent Technologies

In the wake of looming energy price hikes many organisations are proactively con- sidering solar solutions as an alternative.

Take Note!

Before embarking on a solar solution, business- es must make sure that they use a reputable solar solution specialist provider who fully un- derstands the require- ment at the start. The service provider needs to have sound software and hardware solar knowledge. A competent service provider should have a demonstrable track re- cord of successful solar implementations.

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T he time to go solar has never been better. However, solar solutions projects required to power an organisation can be complex, with a number of ‘hidden’ costs and potential pit- falls that could jeopardise its success. Companies should be aware of the challenges before embark- ing on their solar project. Cost calculations In planning a solar solution, one of the most com- mon errors made is the failure to properly calculate the true costs. Solar solutions comprise of more than just solar panels and inverters. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, over sixty percent of the total cost of solar solutions in the US lie in the ‘soft’ costs, with the actual panels and inverters making up less than forty percent. The same parameters are very likely to hold true for South Africa and the rest of the globe. Organisations should carefully scrutinise their solar provider quotes to ensure that all ancillary costs; labour, site surveys, engineering and design fees are factored in. Also, peripheral components such as mounting structures and/or assemblies and wire management costs should be included. It's not always possible to accurately calculate all costs until implementation is complete, as the scope may change or difficulties may be experienced through- out the course of the project. This is especially true when obtaining budget quotes where no site sur- veys or assessments have been done.

In addition, it is critical to account for storage, transport and security of all delivered equipment, bearing in mind that components may lie in stor- age for some time while the project is under way. Solar equipment is a hot target for theft, therefore, twenty-four-hour security is imperative for the du- ration of the project. It takes a team A successful solar solution is the result of skills that extend beyond the installation phase of the project. Depending on the scope, scale and condi- tions of the solar solution, different people will be needed to contribute their expertise, with advice at various stages of the project. Solutions architects are needed to design and engineer the solution, based on a site survey which yields information on the requirement and site conditions. The is a lengthy process and many companies fail to comprehend the amount of work that goes into planning and designing a solution before a proper quotation can even be raised. This is one of the reasons why budget quotes are so unreliable. If the solution is mounted on high poles (for example with security camera power supply ap- plications), car ports or at ground level, civil en- gineers will be needed to assess soil conditions and provide a solid, stable foundation. A weak or poorly factored foundation can result in the en- tire structure collapsing at the first sign of strong

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32 Electricity + Control

APRIL 2018