Consulting

A Turnkey Project in the context of solar power plants refers to a comprehensive solution where the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor manages every phase of the project from concept to commissioning. The client receives a fully operational power plant, ready to generate electricity.

Key Components

• Project Design and Planning: Detailed site assessment, feasibility studies, energy yield analysis, and customized system design according to the location's solar irradiance, wind load, and temperature conditions.
• Engineering and Procurement: Selection of high-quality solar modules (monocrystalline or bifacial), inverters (string or central), and Balance of System (BOS) components like mounting structures, cabling, and protection devices.
• Construction and Installation: On-site civil and electrical work, including module mounting, inverter installation, wiring, and grounding. Specialized machinery like pile drivers and cranes are used for efficient setup.
• Commissioning and Testing: Comprehensive system testing, including performance ratio (PR) analysis, inverter synchronization, and power evacuation checks. Ensuring compliance with grid codes and safety standards.
• Operations and Maintenance (O&M): Post-commissioning support with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for real-time monitoring, preventive maintenance schedules, and quick issue resolution.

Advantages

• Single Point Responsibility: One contractor handles the entire project, ensuring accountability.
• Cost Efficiency and Timely Execution: Streamlined processes reduce delays and cost overruns.
• Quality Assurance and Warranty: Turnkey solutions often include comprehensive warranties on equipment and performance guarantees.

Land acquisition is a critical step for ground-mounted solar power plants, as the land type and location significantly impact the project's efficiency and cost.

Key Components

• Location Selection: Choosing sites with high solar insolation, minimal shading, and proximity to substations for grid connectivity. Ideal locations are barren or non-agricultural lands to avoid legal complications.
• Land Type and Area Requirement: A 1 MW solar plant generally requires 4-5 acres of flat, non-shadowed land. Soil testing is conducted to ensure stability for mounting structures.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with state-specific land conversion laws, obtaining Non-Agricultural (NA) certificates, and securing land title clearances.
• Environmental Clearances: In some cases, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports are needed, especially for projects exceeding a specific capacity.
• Lease vs. Purchase: Depending on the project duration and financial strategy, land can either be leased (long-term agreements) or purchased outright.

Challenges and Solutions

• Land Acquisition Delays: To mitigate delays, proactive engagement with local authorities and stakeholders is essential.
• Legal Disputes: Detailed due diligence and clear documentation help avoid legal disputes over land ownership.

Grid integration is the process of connecting the solar power plant to the electrical grid, ensuring smooth power evacuation and grid stability.

Technical Requirements

• Power Evacuation Infrastructure: Setting up transmission lines, step-up transformers, and switchyards for efficient power evacuation to the grid.
• Grid Compliance and Safety: Adhering to Central Transmission Utility (CTU) or State Transmission Utility (STU) grid codes, including voltage and frequency regulations, power factor control, and anti-islanding protection.
• Inverter Synchronization: Advanced inverters with grid-tie capabilities are used for seamless synchronization and efficient power transfer.
• Protection Systems: Installation of Protective Relaying Systems for fault detection, grid isolation, and safety of both the plant and grid infrastructure.
• SCADA Integration: SCADA systems for real-time monitoring, remote control, and data logging to ensure efficient grid management.

Government Procedures and Approvals

• Connectivity Approval: Obtaining grid connectivity approval from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC).
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Signing a PPA with the state DISCOM (Distribution Company) or third-party power purchaser.
• Net Metering and Feed-in Tariff (FiT): For captive or surplus power generation, net metering or feed-in tariff agreements are established.

Challenges and Solutions

• Grid Congestion: In congested grids, advanced grid management solutions, such as energy storage systems or smart inverters, are used to optimize power flow.
• Power Fluctuations: Advanced power control systems ensure grid stability by managing variable solar generation.

Infrastructure development is crucial for supporting the solar power plant's operational needs and ensuring long-term stability and efficiency.

Key Elements

• Site Preparation: Land leveling, fencing, and constructing approach roads for ease of transportation and maintenance access.
• Mounting Structures: Galvanized steel or aluminum structures for durability. Fixed-tilt or single-axis tracking systems are selected based on site-specific energy yield analysis.
• Electrical Infrastructure:
  • DC Infrastructure: Solar modules, DC cables, string combiner boxes, and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) inverters.
  • AC Infrastructure: Step-up transformers, AC cables, switchgear, and transmission lines for grid connectivity.
• Security and Surveillance: Installation of CCTV cameras and security systems for site safety and asset protection.
• Water Supply and Drainage: Proper water supply for module cleaning and drainage systems for rainwater runoff.

Challenges and Solutions

• Remote Locations: Prefabricated structures and modular designs are used to minimize on-site construction time.
• Environmental Impact: Eco-friendly practices, like using permeable paving and maintaining native vegetation, are implemented.

Liaisoning involves managing all regulatory and statutory approvals required for the solar power plant project. This includes dealing with various government departments and stakeholders.

Challenges and Solutions

• Statutory Approvals:
  • Land Conversion: From agricultural to non-agricultural land usage.
  • Environmental Clearance: As required by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  • CEA Approval: Central Electricity Authority's technical and safety clearances for large-scale projects.
• Grid Connectivity Approvals:
  • SLDC and RLDC Clearances: From State Load Dispatch Centre and Regional Load Dispatch Centre for grid synchronization.
  • Transmission Approvals: CTU/STU approvals for power evacuation infrastructure.
• Financial Approvals and Subsidies:
  • MNRE Subsidies: Applying for subsidies or incentives under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) schemes.
  • REC and Carbon Credit Registration: Registering for Renewable Energy Certificates and carbon credits for additional revenue streams.

Challenges and Solutions

• Complex Regulations: Having an experienced liaisoning team with strong relationships with regulatory bodies helps expedite approvals.
• Changing Policies: Staying updated on state and central government policies ensures compliance and smooth project execution.