Management of Technical Risks in Solar PV Projects

This course will provide a first-hand comprehensive discussion of the most relevant topics influencing the bankability of a PV project. This course identifies the investment risks in new and established markets illustrating their technical and financial impact depending on the stakeholder´s perspective describing as well the content of several bankability products designed for supporting investors and lenders during the decision making process. Topics like yield assessment uncertainty, technical requirements for PV modules or Potential Induced Degradation (PID), will be treated separately due to their strong impact in the profitability of a project. The workshop will also give a clear insight into the aspects and clauses that need to be covered in PPA, EPC and O&M contracts in order to protect accurately the interests of investors and developers. The content of the course illustrates the interface between technical results and commercial or financial interpretations bringing LTA and investors to a common ground allowing an interdisciplinary and more accurate evaluation of technical outcomes with financial impact.
This course contains the knowhow of PV expertise acquired over almost one decade of intensive activities in mature and nascent markets in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Introduction • What Will you Learn?
• Structure of the Capacity Building Program Overview of Project Phases • Project Organigram of a SPV Project
Identification of Investment Risks • Milestones for Quality Inspection
• General Investment Risks
• Site Specific Risks
• Safety Risks
• Management Risks •Logistic Risks
• Financial Risks
•Geo-political Risks
• Legal Risks
• Technical Risks
•Project Stakeholder´s Risk (Module Supplier, Inverter Supplier, EPC, Developer)
• Investment Risks in New Markets
•Potential Induced Degradation as a Performance Killer

Risk Evaluation and Quantification of Impact
· Introduction to Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA)
· Definition of the Risk Priority Number (RPN) Depending on the Stakeholder´s Perspective
· Quantification of the Financial Impact of Risks using the Cost Priority Number (CPN). Impact on CAPEX, OPEX and Yield.
Bankability Products for Risk Mitigation
· Q1 - Quality Management Prior to Financial Close
· Q2 - Quality Management During Installation and Commissioning
· Q3 - Quality Management During Re-financing and Acquisition
· Harmonization of Technical Reports and Financial Language
· Costs of Quality Management

Key Documents for Financial Close
· What Makes a PPA Contract Bankable?
· What Makes an O&M Contract Bankable?
· What Makes an EPC Contract Bankable?
· What Makes a Module Supply Agreement Bankable?
What Makes a Yield Assessment Bankable?

Case Studies
· Sub-Saharan Afrika - 15MW - Re-financing
· Chile - 100MW -Acquisition - Single Axis Tracking System
· Sicily - 4MW - Re-financing - Ground Mounted
· Germany - 500kWp - Acquisition Process - Roof Top
· Germany - 4 MW - Re-financing
· India - 9 MW - Provisional Acceptance Commissioning