Independent power producers (IPPs) adopt various business models when acquiring solar assets. Some IPPs actively participate in development activities, such as site selection and preliminary design studies. Others seek to acquire photovoltaic (PV) power systems that are still under construction. Then there are IPPs that focus on purchasing operational assets. No matter the business model, all these solar asset acquisition activities necessitate engineering services on behalf of the owner or lender.
The fundamental aim of these engineering services is to mitigate investment risks—either by spotting and addressing deficiencies or by evaluating, validating, and characterizing the project against its proposed model. Given how crucial an engineering review is, it's vital to maximize its benefits. All else being equal, the sooner Pure Power is brought on board as an owner’s engineer (OE) or an independent engineer (IE), the greater the value we contribute.
In this two-part article, I’ll concentrate on enhancing the value of third-party engineering services throughout the project development and pre-construction phases in the first part.
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**Engaging an OE During Development**
For IPPs aiming for long-term ownership of their projects, it's advantageous to involve an OE as early as possible during the development phase. Once a suitable piece of land has been identified, an OE can offer a range of high-value preliminary design services. These professional services encompass due diligence and technical assistance.
**Due Diligence:** Early-stage due diligence primarily focuses on reviewing the preliminary design, identifying deficiencies, and resolving potential issues before construction and procurement activities begin. During development, the project team usually determines the AC and DC nameplate capacities and starts specifying key equipment. This is also an opportune moment to refine the system design, ensuring the owner meets or exceeds their financial objectives. Doing so prevents wasting valuable non-recurring engineering budgets on projects unlikely to achieve the initial financial benchmarks.
An experienced OE with expertise in solar projects can minimize risks in the preliminary design process by uncovering equipment utilization and layout issues. Besides identifying and addressing potential challenges during detailed engineering, the OE ensures the evolving design complies with interconnection application requirements. Additionally, a competent OE can verify the accuracy of the PVsyst model and produce a finance summary report, ensuring energy generation estimates are neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic.
**Technical Services:** De-risking assets during development also involves creating detailed plans and robust contracts aligned with relevant technical standards. When engaged early, Pure Power can lay the groundwork for a successful project. These planning activities don’t just help evaluate, select, and contract with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms but also shield the owner from construction defects and subpar performance.
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**Engaging an OE During Pre-Construction**
For IPPs focused on owning their projects, cutting corners on owner’s engineering during the pre-construction phase is shortsighted. An OE can significantly enhance project design activities, particularly in the early stages. As I discussed in a previous blog post examining the "cost of quality," the closer a project gets to completion, the costlier it becomes to fix issues. The ability to address problems, spot value engineering opportunities, or modify contracts to reduce ownership risks diminishes once drawings or specifications are issued for permits or bids.
**Design Review:** A project’s design phase is typically divided into three sets of drawings corresponding to major milestones: 30% design drawings are often submitted for interconnection applications, 60% for permit applications, and 90% form the basis for procurement. Fixing problems during development or the 30% design stage is far cheaper than later during construction or operations. During the 60% design phase, there are still opportunities to correct issues before they become embedded in the design and construction details.
**Value Engineering:** Besides resolving issues before construction begins, an experienced OE can also identify value engineering opportunities during the design phase. Lowering construction costs, boosting output, or expediting project delivery schedules are all ways to enhance the value of a solar asset.
**Planning and Standards:** It’s also critical during pre-construction to establish expectations and set baselines that ensure future success, as I outlined in a prior post about capacity testing to ASTM 2848. Not all performance testing protocols are equal, especially from the perspective of an at-risk owner. Similarly, different products or construction methods might vary in their risk profiles. One advantage of bringing on an OE during pre-construction is identifying and eliminating gaps in design standards, drawings, contract terms, or test standards that shift risk from the installing contractor to the long-term owner. Thus, it’s essential to engage an OE before design drawings are sent out for permit, bid, or procurement.
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This approach ensures that projects are well-prepared for smooth execution, reducing risks and maximizing returns—a win-win for both owners and lenders alike.
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