Daystar Power Group’s Post

Rengy Development has been building, operating, and maintaining industrial and commercial solar power projects since 2009. Since then, we have commissioned more than two dozen energy projects for ourselves and our partners. Thanks to this experience, we have gained one of the most robust expertise in the field of solar energy in Eastern and Central Europe. We know exactly how to build large solar projects from the beginning to the very end. We will gradually share this knowledge with the subscribers of our social networks. Let's start with the first and one of the most important stages - engineering, or the design stage of both the solar plant itself and the internal and external power grids (in fact, any solar project starts with the will of the entrepreneur, but we will talk about this in future posts). A large solar power plant is a serious construction project that must work efficiently for decades. Moreover, the energy sector is strictly regulated, and projects must be carried out in accordance with current legislation and regulatory requirements, which ensures their legal and technical impeccability. Therefore, the design of solar power plants covers a complex process, starting from primary planning and preparation for construction. The work is carried out by qualified design engineers, certified for projects with consequence classes CC1, CC2, CC3, as well as architects, lawyers, and managers. It all starts with the concept of the future solar power plant, determining and justifying its optimal capacity, and technical solutions for the project’s power output. At this stage, a cost assessment, potential economic benefits from the operation of the solar power plant, and risks associated with the project are carried out. Then it's time for research and analysis. Experts carry out comprehensive studies, including geological, hydrological, and other analyses. This data is critically important for determining the most appropriate design. After this, a detailed design of the solar plant and substations takes place. At this stage, technical drawings and wiring diagrams are prepared. Also, the necessary equipment and materials are selected, which ensure the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of the system in the future. The result of the engineering stage is a complete package of design and estimate documentation, which meets all technical and legal requirements, providing a solid basis for the start of construction work. Then careful planning of all stages of the construction of the solar power plant is performed, including project timing and organization of logistics. Finally, to start the actual construction work, Rengy Development specialists obtain all necessary approvals and licenses for the construction and operation of the solar power plant from state bodies. All this happens before the first pile is driven, or even the first photomodule of the future solar project comes off the production line.

Challenges of Solar Removal & Reinstall (R&R) for EPCs Compared to new solar installations, R&R projects present unique challenges for EPC firms. While they can help maintain customer relationships and fill gaps in the pipeline, they must be priced appropriately to reflect their complexity and risks. Here’s why R&R projects often come with added complexity and lower returns: 💼 Labor-Intensive Work = Lower Marginal Returns 💸 Labor and soft costs are the primary drivers of R&R project expenses, often accounting for 80-90% of the total project value since equipment costs are minimal or nonexistent. This heavy reliance on labor leaves little room for margins comparable to those in new installations. Moreover, these projects demand specialized skills to handle safely and reinstall components without causing damage, adding another layer of complexity and cost. ⚠️ Complexity & Risk Working and handling existing equipment can lead to degradation, increasing liability risks such as underperforming assets or, in severe cases, thermal or fire incidents. Additionally, older components may be incompatible with newer systems, resulting in unexpected costs and delays that further complicate the project. 🤝 Customer Expectations Seamless execution with minimal downtime is a common expectation but not always achievable, particularly when unforeseen challenges arise. Coordination with roofers or other trades can complicate timelines, while the risk of theft looms over equipment that is often stored on-site. Additionally, change orders may become necessary if the original budget does not account for replacing worn or degraded components, leading to increased costs and delays. These factors can significantly impact project efficiency and customer satisfaction. ⏳ Opportunity Cost Resources dedicated to R&R projects could often be better utilized on new installations or repowering efforts, which typically deliver higher margins and greater returns. An overemphasis on R&R may also detract from an EPC's reputation as an innovative leader in the solar industry. While R&R projects can fill specific needs, EPCs must carefully evaluate the associated challenges and opportunity costs before committing to them. Despite the challenges and complexities, we at Nulife Power Services carefully select which R&R projects to take on, recognizing their critical role in maintaining and extending the life of solar assets. These projects offer opportunities to improve system performance by addressing wear and outdated components that could impact efficiency. While the margins may not match those of new installations, the true value for us lies in our commitment to advancing renewable energy transitions at every stage. As the saying goes, "It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it." And we’re proud to be that someone.

To date, we’ve installed more than 7.2 MW across Francophone West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo.) In our latest Daystar Employee Spotlight, we’re featuring a team member who has been critical in bringing these projects to life. Meet Wendpouiré Franck Alain OUEDRAOGO, FMVA®, Engineering Manager for Francophone West Africa based in Abidjan. When Franck was at university, he was curious about renewable energy as everyone was talking about how it can contribute to mitigating climate change and its consequences. After graduation, he brought his curiosity of clean energy to his job search. For his first job, he designed solar systems and did some project management for installations of up to 1 MW. He later managed the operations of a hybrid solar plant at a gold mine in Burkina Faso, it was a large off grid PV/diesel system: 15 MWp solar, with 57 MW generators. But Franck became restless. He wanted to shift into project management and engineering. As he explains, “When you stay too long in operations and maintenance, you won’t increase your knowledge at a given point. You just maintain it. It gets boring.” Now that he’s working in project engineering and management, Franck rarely has a dull day at Daystar. On a typical day, Franck first focuses on his active projects. He reviews his to-do list, prioritising critical projects to stay on track by sending reminders on current actions and assigning new tasks. He then turns to his own deliverables: he discusses with clients, suppliers and team members in the design and procurement departments. Franck is often shuffling between the office and site. He figures that he spends 70% of his time in the office while for the rest of the time he’s visiting project sites. And for ongoing projects he’s often more on site than naught to discuss directly with stakeholders. Over the last year, one such project that has demanded much of Franck’s time was our largest installation in Francophone West Africa: a 2.4MW system for a FMCG manufacturer located in Abidjan’s Yopougon industrial zone. “It wasn’t easy to get to commissioning. There were many challenges. We had a lot of changes on the project from stakeholders.” “We don’t love changes in a project,” says Franck. But in a complex hybrid solar system for a large customer, changes are often inevitable, and you must learn how to adapt and address them to deliver expected value for stakeholders. To meet the customer’s requests, Franck and the team had to change from a full predictive approach to both a predictive and agile approach— they involved the customer in the process much earlier to get their feedback, incorporate it, and improve processes. There were many, many iterations, especially when it came to routing cables in the factory, says Franck. Those changes and the process to handle them were what made this project rewarding. “We managed to deliver the expected value. And the customer was happy.”

China's rapid expansion of rooftop solar installations is transforming its energy landscape, but the grid is struggling to keep pace with the growth. This "distributed" solar generation is spreading across the country, from sun-rich northern provinces to less sunny regions like Chongqing. Rooftop solar panels are installed on homes, factories, and airports, contributing significantly to China's renewable energy capacity, which now accounts for 24.8% of the country's total installed electricity capacity. Despite the advantages, the rapid roll-out has highlighted significant challenges, particularly related to grid capacity. Many regions face difficulties in connecting the generated solar power to the grid, leading to increased curtailment rates. Curtailment refers to the reduction in power output due to insufficient grid capacity or demand, which prevents solar panels from fully contributing to the energy supply and generating revenue from electricity sales. Local incentives, such as subsidies and tax breaks, have fueled the adoption of solar panels, especially in commercial settings. However, the grid's inability to accommodate the increasing output has led to a "bidding war" among solar panel distributors, driving up rental rates for rooftops and squeezing profit margins. While distributed solar power plays a crucial role in China's carbon reduction efforts, the effectiveness of these installations is hampered by grid limitations. The government has proposed policies to encourage higher consumption of locally generated solar energy, such as limiting grid uploads for high-capacity projects on commercial rooftops. Overall, while China's push towards renewable energy is impressive, it highlights the need for significant grid infrastructure improvements to effectively integrate and utilize the growing solar capacity across the nation.

NTPC REL Opens Bidding for 260MW Solar PV Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a subsidiary of India’s state-owned power giant NTPC Limited, is soliciting bids for a major project aimed at enhancing the country’s renewable infrastructure. The company has issued an invitation for online bids under the Single Stage Two Envelope bidding process for an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) package. This package involves the development of a 260MW grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project located in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The comprehensive EPC package entails several critical components, starting from the design, engineering, and manufacturing of the solar plant to its final testing and commissioning. Additionally, the project includes […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/d9t34rxf #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #india #ntpcrel #rajasthan #renewableenergy #solarenergy #solarpvproject #tender

China Power Construction Corp. (POWERCHINA) says it has concluded the largest procurement tender in solar industry history, involving 51 GW of PV modules and 51 GW of inverters. The tender results, published on Nov. 13, set a new record for scale and industry involvement. The PV module procurement round was divided into three categories: 12 GW of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules for self-owned projects, 36 GW of TOPCon modules for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects, and 3 GW of n-type heterojunction (HJT) modules. The inverter procurement round was split into four lots: 12 GW of centralized all-in-one box inverters over 3,125 kW, 8 GW of string inverters over 300 kW for self-built projects, 25 GW of string inverters over 300 kW for EPC projects, and 6 GW of smaller-scale string inverters between 10 kW to 150 kW in size. A record 58 companies competed for the module contracts. Bids for TOPCon modules ranged from $0.086/W to $0.106/W, with an average of $0.094/W. HJT module bids were slightly higher, ranging from $0.103/W to $0.112/W, with an average of $0.106/W. Second-tier companies submitted bids under $0.094/W, while top-tier firms consistently quoted above this threshold, clustering around $0.098/W.

Founder Group Secures Letter of Award Valued at US$4.5 Million for Floating Solar Farm Project in Malaysia: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founder Group Limited (NASDAQ: FGL) ("Founder Group” or the "Company”), a leading engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) solutions provider for solar photovoltaic systems in Malaysia, is pleased to announce that it has secured a Letter of Award (LOA) worth RM20 million (approximately US$4.5 million) for the construction of a floating solar farm in Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Spanning approximately 24 acres, this project, utilizing floating photovoltaic (FPV) technology, is designed to generate 9.99MWac/15.033625MWp of solar power. This cutting-edge FPV technology, which involves solar panels mounted on floating platforms in bodies of water, helps reduce land usage while maximizing energy generation. The project is expected to significantly contribute to land conservation, preserve natural habitats, and reinforce Founder Group's mission of delivering innovative, eco-friendly energy solutions. It further underscores the Company's commitment to advancing carbon neutrality. Founder Group will serve as a sub-contractor, responsible for supplying labor, hand tools, materials, and necessary machinery and equipment to support the execution of General Conditions Preliminaries & Consultation. The floating solar farm is expected to be completed by June 30, 2025. https://lnkd.in/gpyW2JqU

Supervision of works in energy facility construction in Serbia The supervision of works in constructing energy facilities in Serbia, along with the role of the Owner’s Engineer, is vital for the successful delivery of projects. This article delves into six key aspects of the process, detailing the roles and responsibilities in design, permitting, construction supervision, HSE compliance, commissioning and contractor management of energy projects in Serbia. 1. Role of the Owner’s Engineer in design review and validation The Owner’s Engineer (OE) plays a critical role during the design phase of an energy facility project. Their involvement ensures the feasibility, technical integrity and regulatory compliance of the project throughout its various design stages. Key responsibilities include: 2. Breakdown of the permitting process for energy facilities in Serbia The permitting process for energy facilities in Serbia requires obtaining various permits from national and local authorities. The Owner’s Engineer helps navigate this complex process to ensure timely submission and approval of necessary documentation. Key stages include: 3. Construction supervision and quality control methods Effective construction supervision is essential to ensure that the energy facility is built to required standards. The OE oversees all construction aspects, focusing on quality control, safety and regulatory compliance. Key methods include: 4. Health, safety and environmental (HSE) compliance HSE compliance is crucial during energy facility construction to protect workers, the environment and the long-term operation of the facility. The OE plays an integral role in enforcing HSE protocols. Key responsibilities include: 5. Commissioning procedures and final handover process Commissioning marks the final stage of the energy facility project, where the OE ensures that all systems are operational and meet performance standards. Key tasks include: 6. Contractor management and coordination Effective contractor management is essential for successful project delivery. The OE plays a key role in coordinating between the owner, contractors and stakeholders to ensure smooth execution. Responsibilities include: In summary, the supervision of works in energy facility construction in Serbia, alongside the pivotal role of the Owner’s Engineer, is crucial for ensuring the successful execution of energy projects. By integrating expertise in design review, permitting, construction supervision, HSE compliance, commissioning, and contractor management, the Owner’s Engineer helps deliver facilities that meet high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance. https://lnkd.in/dAG_FhnV

Oman’s $1.35bln polysilicon project signs up service providers ◾ The developers of one of the biggest polysilicon manufacturing plants in the Middle East, currently in the early stages of development at Sohar Port and Freezone in the Sultanate of Oman, have tapped a number of leading local utilities and service providers to support the landmark venture during the construction and operation phases. ◾ Oman-based United Solar Holding Inc recently broke ground on a first-of-its-kind 100,000-tonnes per annum capacity polysilicon project at Sohar Freezone estimated to cost USD 1.35 billion. The strategically significant project is expected to not only catapult Oman into the ranks of global producers of high-quality polysilicon – a key ingredient in the solar PV supply chain – but also catalyse investments in downstream manufacturing linked to the country’s ambitious renewable energy development goals. ◾ Given the scale and technological complexity of the project, a number of utility companies have been signed up to provide dedicated support infrastructure and services necessary to sustain the polysilicon venture upon its commercial launch in 2025 ◾ Majis Industrial Services (MIS) – the integrated water solutions provider at Sohar Port - announced the signing of the water services agreement with United Solar Polysilicon. MIS operates a modern water solutions platform that provides water for industrial cooling, process water, potable water, irrigation water, effluent management and other sustainable water solutions. ◾ Earlier, in June, Monenco Consulting Engineers Oman, well-known electrical engineering consultancy services firm, signed a contract for the provision of engineering services and design review of a major grid station that will supply the project with electricity. ◾ The client is the China Energy Engineering Group Shanxi Electric Power Engineering Company (CEEC- SEPEC), which is the EPC contractor for the 400/220 kV grid station linked to the polysilicon project. SEPEC representative Li Peng signed the agreement with Saeid Tamaddon, Managing Director of Monenco Consulting Engineers (Oman) at the latter’s Muscat office last month. ◾ Other utilities that have committed to building the requisite support infrastructure for the project include Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), and Nama Electricity Supply, among others. ◾ At the project’s ground-breaking in March, high-level Omani officials also highlighted the venture’s potential to attract investments in domestic solar panel manufacturing and other industries across the production value chain. ◾ On its heels came the announcement, pertaining to a provisional agreement signed by Oman Investment Authority (OIA) with Chinese solar photovoltaic manufacturer Hainan Drinda New Energy Technology on the establishment of a first-ever photovoltaic cell manufacturing plant in Oman. The source: Zawya #energyticslimited #energyefficiency #renewableenergy #polysiliconmanufacturingplant

17th of December 2024 I am excited to share the results of our group project for the Power Generation Lab: “Design and Layout Optimization of Solar PV System for a Commercial Building in Pakistan.” This project challenged us to address a Complex Engineering Problem (CEP) by designing a sustainable, cost-effective solar energy solution that meets real-world constraints. 👨🔬👨🔬 The task was to design and optimize a grid-connected solar PV system for a commercial building, balancing technical, economic, and environmental considerations. The challenges included a limited roof area (500 m²), a budget cap of PKR 20 million, and ensuring reliable performance over a 25-year lifecycle while meeting the energy demand of 150,000 kWh annually. 🔌💡 Here’s a closer look at our work: 🔹 Solar PV System Design: I took the lead in designing the system, selecting panel types, inverters, and mounting systems while ensuring compatibility with local grid regulations. 🔹 Shading Analysis and Adjustments: I performed a detailed shading analysis using advanced tools like PVsyst and optimized the layout to minimize mutual shading between rows. Adjustments like inter-row spacing and orientation (portrait vs. landscape) were implemented to maximize energy yield. 🔹 Energy Yield Simulation: We analyzed different panel technologies (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin film) to identify the best-performing option for the location. 🔹 Economic Analysis: A lifecycle cost analysis (LCOE) was conducted, factoring in initial costs, maintenance, degradation, and net metering policies. Sensitivity analyses helped us evaluate critical variables like panel efficiency and electricity prices. 🔹 Alternative Solutions: We explored integrating battery storage and demand-side management to reduce grid dependency and optimize performance during peak hours. This project allowed me to apply my skills in system design, shading analysis, and layout optimization, making it a truly rewarding experience. Every decision—from calculations to trade-offs—was carefully evaluated to ensure an efficient and reliable solar energy system tailored to the constraints of the project. 👨🎓 I am incredibly proud of the teamwork and dedication of our group, which made this project a success: 👉 Muaz Ahmad – Leader of the Group 👉 Muhammad Bilal Jamil (Myself) – Designing, Shading Analysis, Layout 👉 Misbah Ashraf – Reporting 👉 Haseeba Rehman – Lifecycle Cost Analysis We’re thrilled to have applied our skills to create a meaningful impact, and we’re excited about the future of solar energy in Pakistan. This project is a testament to how engineering innovation can pave the way for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable tomorrow. ✨💖 #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #EngineeringInnovation #Teamwork