October 9, 2020

 

In the installation of a Solar Power Plant (SPP), it is of great importance for achieving the investment goals of projects of any scale that all engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) works are tendered on a turnkey basis to a contractor with the required technical and financial capacity. This approach provides advantages in terms of task and responsibility sharing as well as risk management.

The input of a solar power plant is solar radiation, and the output is electrical energy.

The parameter that reveals the quality of a power plant is its performance ratio. Solar power plants are considered to have an economic lifespan of over 25 years, and this fact is taken into account in financial analyses. Even minimal changes in the efficiency of a system that will generate energy for 25 years can have a significant cumulative impact over time.

EFFICIENCY MATTERS!
BUT SYSTEM EFFICIENCY MATTERS MOST!

The efficiency of an SPP is determined by the losses in the produced energy. These losses may result from environmental conditions, system design, material quality, or workmanship.

• Environmental factors: temperature, dust, snow accumulation

• Design-related factors: shading, AC/DC cable losses

• Material-related factors: module mismatches, inverter losses

The most important criterion in constructing a solar power plant is a high performance ratio, which is achieved through design based on engineering and science, high-quality materials, and professional workmanship.

Even if all materials are of the highest quality, without good system design and engineering, the project fails.

 

Choosing the Right EPC Company

Experienced EPC companies that value knowledge, corporate culture, science, and R&D can deliver projects successfully and ensure customer satisfaction. However, beware:

• A company doing many installations does not necessarily mean it is a good EPC company.

• Verify whether the company is truly an EPC contractor or just a simple installation firm.

• Validate the company’s credibility, including the CVs of its managers and employees.

A lion is known by its den.
If you are entrusting a multi-million-dollar investment, you should visit the company on-site.

 

Key criteria should be:

• Financial capacity

• Technical capability

• Experience

• Reliability

Even experienced firms can make mistakes—but those with financial strength and competence will correct them without causing investor loss. Avoid firms with insufficient technical competence or those with fraudulent intentions, no matter how appealing their offers may seem.

 

Guidelines for Making an Economical SPP Investment

• Determine average market prices—collect offers from reliable companies and compare them.

• Check how long it will take for the plant to be operational and which company can complete commissioning the fastest.

• A 1 MWp plant generates about 7 MWh/day in summer (≈700 USD/day). If commissioning is delayed by 3 months just to save 20,000 USD, you may actually lose around 60,000 USD in revenue.

• Prefer locally produced materials. Avoid blind admiration for foreign brands that may not remain in the market long-term. Verify the validity of their certificates and guarantees.

• Always work with a trained team. An untrained worker can cause accidents and put the entire investment at risk.

• Remember: Cheap often turns out more expensive.

 

Compare not only the product but also who delivers it. Just like handling apples—one person carefully places them into the basket, another throws them carelessly. Both look fine at first, but one will rot sooner.

 

If you want to be sure, consult an expert. And to know if someone is truly an “expert,” sometimes you need to consult other experts about them.

Or simply come to Orbit Enerji. We are ready to share our knowledge and experience, and we are proud to serve you.

 

VAHİT KAYA