Pre-Commissioning Review of Solar Plant

This study was undertaken to review a solar plant before commissioning. The goal was to
identify potential problems and sources of future inefficiency.

This screenshot shows the aerial view (orthorectified view) of a 5 acre, 1MW, solar plant. Usually
trackers are used to minimize the angle of incidence between the incoming sunlight and a
photovoltaic panel. However, this plant uses fixed solar panels.

1
The screenshot below shows elevations across the entire plant. Elevations are mapped to specific
colors. A color scale on the left shows the mapping between colors and elevations.

This view helps understand not only panel elevations but also the site elevations. The red
patches show parts of the site that have depressions. These are places where there is potential
for water logging and could create maintenance problems.

There are other serious problems too. The panels marked above seem to be mounted incorrectly.

2
Zooming into the area helps get a better view. Also elevation readings at specific points indicate
that the panels have not been mounted correctly. All the panels in the row have to be mounted
with the same tilt. However in this case a few panels seem to be mounted flat.

3
Here are the same panels visualized in the aerial view. The tilt is indeed off.

4
Further confirmed in this side-by-side view.

5
There are multiple areas with tilt problems throughout the site as evidenced by this overall site
side-by-side view.

6
We can also look at individual drone images to get up close using this view.

In conclusion a mere 1 hour mission identified potential problem that could:

a) Reduce the mean time between failure of the panels due to waterlogging.
b) Reduce the plant load factor and consequently the RoI.

Aspec Scire’s solution is ideally suited for utility scale solar plants. From optimal site selection,
site preparation, construction management and all the way to plant commissioning.
Furthermore periodic missions help maintain a high plant load factor and complements routine
O&M activities.