Solar energy is a growing industry with increasing demand for efficient and cost-effective solutions. As a result, Solar Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) companies are facing several challenges in their day-to-day operations. These challenges can range from project planning to supply chain delays to adopting new technologies. An EPC provides a sophisticated group of services to complete entire solar installations under one contract, so finding solutions to the challenges they face are vital. In this article, we will explore the top 5 challenges facing solar EPC companies and how drones can help solve them.
Table of Contents
1. Project Planning & Design
The Challenge: Solar EPC companies often struggle with the time and cost associated with accurately planning and designing solar projects. This can involve gathering and analyzing data from various sources, including topographic and aerial maps, as well as conducting site surveys to assess the feasibility and potential yield of a project. Often EPC companies will look to project management software solutions, but they often add additional layers of complexity.
"Performing a manual site survey… could involve multiple employees with tools and other essential equipment. After spending hours walking on a rooftop and sketching out measurements for solar pv design, the information has still to be moved into a CAD program to finalize solar design plans. It’s a time-consuming process that may take even some extra time if a surveyor fails to get accurate measurements or misses any detail."
Why it’s Important: Accurate project planning and design is crucial for the success of a solar project. Poor planning can lead to delays and cost overruns, which can negatively impact a company’s bottom line and reputation. Finding solutions that mitigate these issues is essential for future growth and development.
The Drone Solution: Effective and accurate pre-planning is essential to avoid future delays, change orders, and unplanned design conflicts. Drones equipped with LiDAR sensors can quickly and accurately gather the data needed for project planning and design. LiDAR equipped UAVs can take precise aerial readings to create 3D models, point clouds, and topography contours with centimeter-level accuracy. Drones equipped to do LiDAR surveys are much faster than traditional methods and can cover hundreds of acres per day. All of this allows solar EPC companies to more efficiently plan and design projects, saving time and reducing costs.
2. Supply Chain Delays
The Challenge
Supply chains for many industries have been in flux since Covid-19 disruptions began in early 2020, but many of these issues still have not been resolved due to economic and political situations around the world. Solar EPC companies continue to face delays in their supply chain, which can negatively impact project timelines and budgets. This can be due to various factors, including shipping delays, shortages of materials, and unexpected changes in demand.
According to a 2022 report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), approximately 30% of scheduled solar capacity in the last quarter of 2021 was delayed due to supply chain issues.
"Developers have postponed at least 8% of the planned capacity for 2022 to 2023 or later and canceled at least 5%."
Why it’s Important
Supply chain delays can lead to project delays and cost overruns, which can be detrimental to an EPC’s reputation and bottom line.
The Drone Solution
Drones can be used to monitor the logistics of materials and equipment as they arrive and get stored in new solar construction facilities. This allows a solar EPC to identify and address potential bottlenecks or delays before they become major issues. One of the bottlenecks an EPC faces with solar installations are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) warranty claims. Warranty claims often require very detailed data to be submitted to the OEM which aerial drone inspections can provide.
"Aerial inspections by drones, for warranty claims, are completed in a fraction of the time when compared against human labor. The inspection, which normally takes weeks, will take a drone a day or two."
Using drones for these inspections is a less expensive, more efficient way to inspect a solar PV system for warranty claims. This will ensure all components meet the required standards, reducing the risk of supply chain delays due to defective or non-compliant products. Drones also allow for rapid data collection, enabling warranty claims to be efficiently processed and replacement orders to be fulfilled in a timely manner.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
Techniques for Exposing Warrantiable Items on Your PV Sites.
A Proven Roadmap for Successfully Implementing Drones in Solar.
Strategies for Identifying DC Losses and Avoiding Downtime.
3. Stakeholder Communication
The Challenge
Solar EPC projects often involve a wide range of stakeholders, including developers, investors, contractors, and local communities. Effective communication with these stakeholders is crucial for the success of a project but can be challenging due to the complexity of the projects and the various parties involved. Quality EPCs are experienced in providing project updates, keeping up to date inventory locations for on-site materials, and explaining objectives and timelines to stakeholders.
Why it’s Important
Good communication is extremely important with stakeholders. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and misaligned expectations, which can result in delays, cost overruns, and even overall project failures.
"Failing to involve all affected parties in project planning will surely lead to a less successful project. By engaging various stakeholders, any power-sector project will benefit from greater communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing."
Related Article – 7 Valuable Uses For Drones in the Solar Industry
The Drone Solution
Drones can be used to create high-quality, visually engaging presentations and materials to clearly communicate project plans and progress to stakeholders. For example, 2D drone maps allow for the overlay of electrical and engineering drawings, which can be shared with relevant parties. These overlays can provide a more comprehensive and detailed view of the site construction. In addition, drones can be used to live stream video of project sites, allowing stakeholders to remotely observe the work being done and providing a level of transparency and accountability.
4. Documentation Records
The Challenge
One of the big challenges faced by solar EPC companies is the accurate and efficient documentation of records from data collection. This can include everything from site surveys and design plans to construction progress and commissioning reports. Keeping track of all of this information can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, and errors or omissions can lead to delays and additional costs.
Why it’s Important
Accurate and comprehensive documentation is crucial for the success of any solar project. It helps ensure that all stakeholders, including the EPC company, the developer, and the investors, have the information they need to make informed decisions. In addition, accurate documentation can help reduce the risk of disputes or legal issues down the line.
The Drone Solution
Drones can be used to quickly and accurately capture visual documentation data on routine progress flights flown throughout the life cycle of a project. This data can then be easily organized and stored electronically for use any time the need arises. Allowing solar EPC companies to more efficiently manage their documentation and reduce the risk of errors, while being able to share up-to-date documentation with all relevant parties.
5. Technology Adoption
The Challenge
A final challenge faced by solar EPC companies is the need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques. This can be especially challenging in a rapidly evolving industry like solar, where new technologies and approaches are constantly being developed.
Why it’s Important
Staying current with the latest technologies and techniques is crucial for any EPC company that wants to remain competitive. It can help improve project efficiency and reduce costs, as well as increase the overall quality of the various product lines an EPC is involved with on more complex projects.
The Drone Solution
The rapid development of drone technology continues to bring about new and innovative changes, such as improved cameras, payloads, machine learning capabilities, and other techniques. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize commercial practices and make existing ones more efficient. EPC’s that incorporate drones into their operations will not only gain a competitive edge, but also make their work more efficient.
Getting Started with Drone Solutions for Solar EPC
As the solar industry continues to grow, EPC companies will need to find ways to overcome the challenges they face. Drones offer a number of solutions that can help EPC’s improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the overall quality of their projects, but solar solutions can be complex.
If you are a solar EPC company looking to incorporate drones into your business, it is important to do your research and choose the right equipment and software for your needs, or to find an experienced drone company who can do the work for you.
The Drone Life works with a broad range of companies and organizations to create tailored aerial solutions specific to your project. We have an expert team of highly qualified licensed professionals ready to document your very own project. You can schedule a free consultation with a drone expert today.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
Techniques for Exposing Warrantiable Items on Your PV Sites.
A Proven Roadmap for Successfully Implementing Drones in Solar.
Strategies for Identifying DC Losses and Avoiding Downtime.
