Feasibility Study

As mentioned in Chapter 5, the solar power feasibility study is the foremost fundamental engineering effort required for assessing and planning any type of solar power system design. The feasibility study is the cornerstone of solar power design since it provides an in-depth, meaningful assessment of the energy potential of solar project platforms such as roof-top, carport, or ground-mount solar power systems.

The solar feasibility study is also of paramount importance to any investment in solar power systems, since it provides detailed assessments of solar energy production potential as well as establishing a fundamental platform for future engineering design.

The following are fundamental tasks involved in conducting site solar power platform evaluations and assessments of potential issues that must be considered during the feasibility study phase:

1. • Roof-top, carport, and ground-mount systems platform topology study

2. • Shading analysis

3. • Study and evaluation of the site electrical system and grid-connectivity Configuration

4. • Electrical power demand loading analysis for the entire site

5. • Solar platform topology mapping design and infrastructure study, which includes the following:

6. • Preparation of solar platform topology diagrams

7. • Study of alternative technologies that will be most suited for each type of solar Platform

8. • Study of PV module support structures for each platform, including carport Structures

9. • Preliminary study of underground conduit runs and solar platform Interconnectivity

10. • Econometric analysis of the solar power project, which may include projected construction cost estimate for each type of solar power platform by use of analytical software modelling methods

11. • Preparation of comprehensive feasibility study, which will incorporate results of all of the above engineering studies.

To conduct a solar feasibility study, the engineer or the designer must obtain the following customer-supplied documentation:

1. • Complete electrical engineering documents, which will include as-built single line diagrams, switchgear riser diagrams, panel schedules, and the location of all electrical and power distribution rooms and enclosures

2. • Electrical bills for the last 12 months

3. • Site plan

4. • Roof plans (preferably showing roof-mount mechanical equipment and vents)

5. • Site underground conduit plans

6. • Any recent energy audit documentation and report

Solar power feasibility studies usually involve several site visits and a close collaborative effort with the owners:

Solar Power Site Survey Guide and Logs

Fundamentally, medium- and large-scale solar photovoltaic systems fall into three main categories: roof or trellis mounts, […]